Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) dam
Bull Canal (Main Reservoir)
Bull Canal, also known as the Main Reservoir, is a key water resource in Weld County, Colorado, primarily used for irrigation purposes. Managed by the local government, this earth dam structure was completed in 1982 by designers Sheaffer & Roland. With a height of 35 feet and a length of 10,491 feet, the reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of 4,548 acre-feet and a normal storage of 4,000 acre-feet. Situated along Big Dry Creek-OS, Bull Canal plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the area.
Despite its high hazard potential, Bull Canal has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in November 2020. The reservoir operates under state regulatory agencies, including the Department of Water Resources, ensuring that it meets safety and environmental standards. With a moderate risk assessment rating, measures for risk management are in place to address potential emergencies. As a significant water management infrastructure in the region, Bull Canal contributes to the sustainable use of water resources and climate resilience efforts in Weld County.
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 Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton | 143 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Henderson | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 26 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 159 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Fort Lupton | 1,020 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bull Canal (Main Reservoir).
Boat launches
- Brighton
- Adams County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Siena Reservoir
- Talbott Irrigation Reservoir
- Mckay Lake
- Marshall Reservoir
- Hunters Glen Lake
- Thomas Reservoir
Track Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) 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 Bull Canal (Main Reservoir)
Where does the data for Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) 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 High 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 Bull Canal (Main Reservoir).