Lower Big Creek dam
Lower Big Creek
Lower Big Creek, also known as Big Creek Lake, is a privately owned water resource located in Cowdrey, Colorado. This irrigation dam, completed in 1978, stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 3,834 acre-feet. With a surface area of 600 acres and a drainage area of 11 square miles, Lower Big Creek serves as a vital source of water for agricultural purposes in the region.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Lower Big Creek is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state guidelines. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 76 feet, and has a low hazard potential with a fair condition assessment rating. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and irrigation for the surrounding area.
Situated along the South Tributary of Big Creek, Lower Big Creek contributes to the overall water supply and ecosystem in Jackson County, Colorado. With its strategic location and functional design, this earth dam continues to support agricultural activities and water resources management, making it a key asset for the community and a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Lower Big Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr | 428 cfs | → |
| North Platte River Near Northgate | 433 cfs | → |
| Michigan River At Walden | 38 cfs | → |
| Encampment River At Mouth | 621 cfs | → |
| Little Snake River Near Slater | 317 cfs | → |
| South Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Big Creek.
Boat launches
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Dock
- Tombstone Nature Trail Routt County
- Bennett Creek Campground Boat Ramp
- Blm 3404 Carbon County
- Teal Lake Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Big Creek Lakes Campground
- Big Creek Lakes
- Sheep Mountain Rec Area
- Six Mile
- Six Mile Campground
- Seedhouse
Fishing spots
- Big Creek Lakes Day Use Area
- Big Creek Lake(Lower)
- Big Creek Lake(Upper)
- Lake John
- Hog Park Reservoir
- North Platte River
Paddle runs
- Wy-Co State Line To Encampment River Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters (Continental Divide) And Its West Fork (From West Fork Lake) To North Section Line, Sec 21, T12n, R84w
- Encampment River Wilderness Boundary To Medicine Bow Nf Boundary
- Big Creek
- Northgate Canyon
More reservoirs
Track Lower Big Creek 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 Lower Big Creek
Where does the data for Lower Big Creek 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 Lower Big Creek.