South Colo. Power Co. dam
South Colo. Power Co.
South Colo. Power Co. is a public utility located in Avondale, Colorado, along the Arkansas River-OS. The dam, completed in 1927, has a primary purpose of water supply and stands at a height of 23 feet with a hydraulic height of 24 feet. With a storage capacity of 195 acre-feet, the dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area, maintaining a normal storage level of 105 acre-feet.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2011, South Colo. Power Co. faces a high risk level (2) according to the data. The dam does not have a spillway and has not been modified in recent years, raising concerns about its ability to handle maximum discharge levels of up to 1000 cubic feet per second. With its location in a state regulated and inspected jurisdiction, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and climate resilience efforts in Pueblo County, Colorado.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor South Colo. Power Co., the dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness plans will be crucial factors in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the water supply infrastructure. With its historical significance and ongoing importance in the region, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 South Colo. Power Co. -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Moffat Street At Pueblo | 438 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Tributary Above Hwy 227 At Pueblo | 35 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek At Pueblo | 157 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Above Pueblo | 476 cfs | → |
| St. Charles River At Vineland | 5 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Avondale | 669 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Colo. Power Co..
Campgrounds
- Arkansas Point - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Juniper Breaks - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Prairie Ridge Campground
- Eagle View Campground
- Northern Plains - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Yucca Flat Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake Minnequa
- Valco Ponds (North Gateway Park)
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Teller Reservoir
- Lake Beckwith
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track South Colo. Power Co. 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 South Colo. Power Co.
Where does the data for South Colo. Power Co. 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 South Colo. Power Co..