Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41 dam
Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41
Kiowa Creek Watershed K-41, also known as G. Darden Reservoir Dam, is a critical water resource infrastructure located in El Paso County, Colorado. Owned by the local government, this earth dam was completed in 1955 by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the area. With a structural height of 25 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 36 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events.
Situated on Kiowa Creek, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition. Regular inspections and maintenance ensure its continued reliability in flood risk mitigation. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates help regulate water levels during heavy rain events, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1036 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam's operational efficiency and design make it a key asset in the region's water resource management efforts.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kiowa Creek Watershed K-41 stands as a testament to collaborative efforts in water resource management. With its strategic location, engineering design, and regulatory compliance, the dam represents a vital piece of infrastructure for safeguarding against flooding and ensuring the sustainable use of water resources in El Paso County. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water management, the importance of structures like K-41 in protecting communities and ecosystems only grows more significant.
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 Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek At Woodmen Rd Nr Colo Springs | 28 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Ck At Union Blvd | 28 cfs | → |
| Monument C Ab N.Gate Blvd At Usaf Academy | 25 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Mouth | 32 cfs | → |
| Monument Cr Abv Woodmen Rd At Colorado Springs | 69 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Deadmans Creek
- Monument Lake (El Paso County)
- Palmer Lake
- Pikeview Reservoir
- Upper Reservoir - Palmer Lake
- Ramah Reservoir
Track Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41 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 Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41
Where does the data for Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41 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 Kiowa Crk Wtrshd K-41.