Cripple Creek #3 dam
Cripple Creek #3
Cripple Creek #3, located in Teller County, Colorado, is a significant earth dam completed in 1891 for water supply purposes. With a height of 40 feet and a storage capacity of 380 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in the management of the West Fork of West Beaver Creek. The dam also serves additional purposes such as creating a fish and wildlife pond and providing recreational opportunities in the area.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Cripple Creek #3 is currently in fair condition as of the last assessment in June 2020. Regular inspections are conducted every two years to ensure the dam's structural integrity and safety measures are up to standard. With a spillway width of 330 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 22,876 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to handle potential flood events effectively.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cripple Creek #3 stands as a historical landmark that not only contributes to the local water supply but also supports ecological diversity and recreational activities in the region. As one of Colorado's essential infrastructure assets, ongoing risk assessments and management measures are essential to safeguard its continued functionality and resilience 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 Cripple Creek #3 -- 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 | · | → |
| Fourmile Creek Below Cripple Creek Near Victor | 4 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Colorado Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Williams Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs | 0 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Colorado Springs | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cripple Creek #3.
Boat launches
- Skagway Road Teller County
- Forest Road 96.I Park County
- Thirtynine Mile Road Park County
- Ahra - Parkdale Rec Site
- Ahra - Spikebuck Rec Site
Campgrounds
- The Crags
- Crags Campground
- Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp
- Mueller State Park
- Skagware Reservoir Dispersed Camping
- Wye
Fishing spots
- Mason Reservoir
- Mcreynolds Reservoir
- Skaguay Reservoir
- North Catamount Reservoir
- Crystal Creek Reservoir
- South Catamount Reservoir
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Cripple Creek #3 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 Cripple Creek #3
Where does the data for Cripple Creek #3 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 Significant 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 Cripple Creek #3.