Big Horn dam
Big Horn
Big Horn, also known as South Slope #7, is a local government-owned dam located in Pueblo, Colorado. Completed in 1896, this Earth-type structure serves primarily for water supply purposes, with a storage capacity of 313 acre-feet. Situated on the East Fork of West Beaver Creek, the dam stands at 21 feet in height and spans 400 feet in length, with a spillway width of 20 feet for uncontrolled water discharge.
Despite its age, Big Horn remains in fair condition with low hazard potential, as indicated by a recent inspection in July 2018. The dam, under the regulatory oversight of the Colorado Department of Water Resources, undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's risk management measures are crucial in mitigating potential threats to the surrounding area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Big Horn an intriguing structure, not only for its historical significance but also for its role in water supply and wildlife conservation. Located in a picturesque setting in El Paso County, this dam embodies the intersection of human engineering with natural landscapes, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices 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 Big Horn -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fountain Creek At Cascade | 68 cfs | → |
| Waldo Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs | · | → |
| Williams Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs | 0 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Colorado Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Colorado Springs | 12 cfs | → |
| Camp Creek At Garden Of The Gods | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Horn.
Boat launches
- Skagway Road Teller County
- Forest Road 96.I Park County
- Thirtynine Mile Road Park County
- Ahra - Parkdale Rec Site
Campgrounds
- The Crags
- Crags Campground
- Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp
- Mueller State Park
- Wye
- Skagware Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Fishing spots
- Mason Reservoir
- Mcreynolds Reservoir
- Crystal Creek Reservoir
- South Catamount Reservoir
- North Catamount Reservoir
- Rosemont Reservoir
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Big Horn 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 Big Horn
Where does the data for Big Horn 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 Big Horn.