Saddle dam
Saddle
Saddle is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Routt County, Colorado, near the city of Craig. Completed in 1908, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a length of 418 feet, providing a storage capacity of 171 acre-feet of water primarily for irrigation purposes. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Saddle poses minimal risk to surrounding areas. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a maximum discharge capacity of 28 cubic feet per second. Although the dam has not been significantly modified since its completion, it is subject to periodic inspections to assess its safety and maintenance needs. Overall, Saddle serves as a vital water resource for the local community and plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture and fire protection efforts in the region.
As an essential component of the local water infrastructure, Saddle contributes to the sustainable management of water resources in the area. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam remains a key asset for water supply and irrigation activities along Butler Creek. By meeting state regulatory standards and undergoing regular inspections, Saddle ensures the efficient and safe distribution of water for various purposes, highlighting the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Saddle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Near Craig | 66 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Craig | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 94 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 843 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saddle.
Boat launches
- Us 40 Routt County
- Pebble Beach Boat Ramp
- Moffat County
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- West Duffy Mountain Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Vaughn Lake
- Ripple Creek Pass
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Trout Creek
- Sheriffs Reservoir
- Trout Creek Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Lake Of The Woods
- Crosho Lake
- Craig City Ponds
- Craig Justice Center Ponds
- Trappers Lake
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
Paddle runs
- Pumphouse To Double Bridges
- Yampa River Segment 1
- Yampa River Segment 2
- Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
- Lower Fish Creek
More reservoirs
Track Saddle 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 Saddle
Where does the data for Saddle 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 Saddle.