Georgetown Forebay dam
Georgetown Forebay
Georgetown Forebay, located in Clear Creek, Colorado, is a rockfill dam constructed in 1902 for hydroelectric purposes on South Clear Creek. Managed by a public utility, this dam stands at 21 feet high and has a storage capacity of 810 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 810 acre-feet. The dam has a spillway width of 20 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1000 cubic feet per second, serving as an important source of hydroelectric power in the area.
With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Georgetown Forebay is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's location in a picturesque setting makes it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes. As part of the Sacramento District, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and energy generation in the region, contributing to the overall sustainable development goals of the area.
As an essential component of the water infrastructure in Colorado, Georgetown Forebay serves as a testament to the ingenuity of engineering and the importance of renewable energy sources. Its historical significance and continued operation highlight the ongoing efforts to balance human needs with environmental conservation, making it a fascinating site for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Georgetown Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Leavenworth Creek @ Mouth Nr Georgetown | 4 cfs | → |
| S Clear Cr Abv Lwr Cabin Cr Res Spilwy Nr Georgtwn | 2 cfs | → |
| South Clear Creek Abv Lower Cabin Creek Reservoir | 5 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Abv West Fork Clear Creek Nr Empire Co | 41 cfs | → |
| West Fork Clear Creek Abv Mouth Nr Empire | 37 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Lawson | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Georgetown Forebay .
⚓ Boat launches
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- Co 9 Summit County
⛺ Campgrounds
- West Chicago Creek Campground
- West Chicago Creek
- Clear Lake
- Georgetown Lake
- Empire City Rv Parking
- Guanella Pass
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Georgetown Forebay 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 Georgetown Forebay
Where does the data for Georgetown Forebay 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 Georgetown Forebay .