Howards Lake dam
Howards Lake
Howards Lake in Weld, Colorado, is a privately owned reservoir designed for irrigation purposes. The earth dam, completed in 1920, stands at 18 feet high and spans 1800 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 506 acre-feet. The lake is situated on Owl Creek and is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite a low hazard potential, Howards Lake has an unsatisfactory condition assessment as of September 2013, indicating potential risks that need to be addressed. With a high risk assessment rating of 2, there may be challenges in managing and mitigating these risks effectively. While the reservoir does not have a spillway, it is important for the owners to stay vigilant and prioritize proper maintenance and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety and longevity of this vital water resource in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Howards Lake offers a unique glimpse into the management and regulation of a small but important reservoir in Colorado. With its historical significance and ongoing irrigation use, the lake serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water supply, infrastructure maintenance, and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate conditions. As efforts continue to monitor and improve the condition of Howards Lake, it stands as a testament to the ongoing challenges and opportunities in sustainable water resource management in the region.
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 Howards Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River Near Kersey | 92 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River Near Greeley | 37 cfs | → |
| Big Thompson River At Mouth | 33 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Masters | 160 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Mouth | 89 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C | 289 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howards Lake.
Campgrounds
- Crow Valley
- Crow Valley Family Campground
- Crow Valley Group Campground
- Missile Site Park
- Jackson Lake State Park
- Boyd Lake State Park
Fishing spots
- Cache La Poudre Reservoir Inlet
- Poudre Ponds
- Allen Park Lake
- Promontory Point Park Ponds
- Windsor Lake
- Eastman Park
Paddle runs
Track Howards Lake 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 Howards Lake
Where does the data for Howards Lake 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 Howards Lake.