Chapel Hills #1 dam
Chapel Hills #1
Chapel Hills #1 is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Completed in 1984, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans a length of 760 feet, with a storage capacity of 64 acre-feet. Situated along the Monument-Trout Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events, showcasing its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
Despite its low hazard potential, Chapel Hills #1 is classified as having a high risk level, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction. While its condition assessment is currently not rated, regular inspections are conducted every three years to assess its structural integrity and operational capabilities. The dam does not have a spillway, indicating the importance of proactive risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols in place to mitigate potential risks.
As a state-regulated structure under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Chapel Hills #1 serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts between local and state agencies in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events. With its strategic location and vital role in flood risk reduction, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of a changing climate.
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 Chapel Hills #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Ck At Union Blvd | 2 cfs | → |
| Monument Cr Abv Woodmen Rd At Colorado Springs | 13 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Mouth | 3 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Woodmen Rd Nr Colo Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Monument Creek At Pikeview | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chapel Hills #1.
Campgrounds
- Peregrine Pines Family Camp
- Peregrine Pines Military - Usaf Academy
- Thunder Ridge
- Thunder Ridge Campground
- Meadow Ridge
- 24
Fishing spots
- Pikeview Reservoir
- Deadmans Creek
- Prospect Lake (Colorado Springs)
- Nichols Reservoir
- Homestake Fishing Site
- Rampart Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Chapel Hills #1 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 Chapel Hills #1
Where does the data for Chapel Hills #1 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 Chapel Hills #1.