Native Lake dam
Native Lake
Located in Archuleta, Colorado, Native Lake is a private fish and wildlife pond with a low hazard potential and a high risk assessment rating. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1970, stands at 26 feet in height and spans 795 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 43 acre-feet. Despite being state-regulated and regularly inspected, the dam's condition remains unrated as of its last inspection in 2001.
Surrounded by the picturesque landscape of the RIO CHAMITA-TR river and situated just 10 miles from CHAMA, NM, Native Lake provides a vital habitat for local wildlife while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors. With a surface area of 4 acres and a normal storage capacity of 30 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting the ecosystem of the region. However, the absence of a spillway and updated emergency action plan raises concerns about the dam's ability to withstand potential risks in the future.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the complexities of dam management and environmental conservation, Native Lake serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. With its rich history dating back to the 1970s, this private pond continues to be a symbol of the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship 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 Native Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Navajo R At Banded Peak Ranch | 267 cfs | → |
| Navajo River Bl Oso Diversion Dam Nr Chromo | 92 cfs | → |
| Rio Blanco Bl Blanco Div Dam | 42 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 330 cfs | → |
| Rio Chama Near La Puente | 173 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Near Mogote | 922 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Native Lake.
Campgrounds
- Trujillo Meadows Campground
- Trujillo Meadows
- Conejos
- Spectacle Lake
- Spectacle Lake Campground
- Blanco River Group Campground
Fishing spots
- Trujillo Meadows Boating Site
- Trujillo Meadows Lake
- Spectacle Lake Fishing Site
- La Manga Creek (Beaver Ponds)
- Lost Lake
- Lagunitas Creek Fishing
Paddle runs
- Lower Branch--Sec 28, T33n, R3e; Upper Branch--Sec 15, T33n, R3e To Sec 7, T32n, R4e
- Sec 1, T33n, R3e To Confluence With East Fork--Sec 17, T33n, R4e
- Dipping Lakes--Sec 5, T33n, R4e To Confluence With West Fork--Sec 17, T33n, R4e
- Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
- Tierra Amarilla Grant Boundary To Colorado Stateline
- Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
Track Native 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 Native Lake
Where does the data for Native 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 Native Lake.