Bassett #2 dam
Bassett #2
Bassett #2 is a privately owned dam located in Moffat County, Colorado, along Vermillion Creek. Built in 1939, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 250 acre-feet. Primarily used for recreation, the dam also serves purposes such as fire protection, stock watering, irrigation, and small fish pond management. With a fair condition assessment and low hazard potential, Bassett #2 underwent its last inspection in October 2016, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 6 years.
Situated in a picturesque location in Ouray, Utah, Bassett #2 offers a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 24 square miles. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 14 feet, capable of managing a maximum discharge of 245 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, Bassett #2 remains a moderate risk structure with a risk assessment rating of 3, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. The dam's association with the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers ensures that it meets state regulatory standards for inspection, permitting, and enforcement.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the interplay between dams, recreational opportunities, and ecological stewardship will find Bassett #2 to be a fascinating case study. As a vital infrastructure for water management in the region, this dam exemplifies the importance of balancing human needs with environmental considerations. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance requirements, Bassett #2 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of water resource management in the American West.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Bassett #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Snake River Near Lily | 605 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Deerlodge Park | 3,510 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Jensen | 4,780 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Greendale | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Big Brush Creek Abv Red Fleet Res | 17 cfs | → |
| White River Below Boise Creek | 852 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bassett #2.
Boat launches
- County Road 34 Moffat County
- Moffat County
- Swallow Canyon Road Daggett County
- Swallow Canyon Boat Ramp
- Little Swallow Overlook Daggett County
- Bridgeport Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Gates Of Lodore - Dinosaur National Monument
- Gates Of Lodore Campground
- Crook - Browns Wildlife Area
- Wade And Curtis River Camp
- Irish Canyon
- Irish Canyon Camping (Single)
Fishing spots
- Crouse Reservoir
- Box Reservoir
- Green River Below Flaming Gorge Dam
- Cart Creek
- Little Brush Creek
- Red Fleet Reservoir
Track Bassett #2 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Bassett #2
Where does the data for Bassett #2 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Bassett #2.