Middle Fork dam
Middle Fork
Middle Fork, located in Garfield, Colorado, is a private dam regulated by the state with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1984, this gravity dam stands at a height of 123 feet and has a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet. The dam, with a multi-arch core type and rock foundation, spans 410 feet in length and serves the Middle Fork Parachute Creek, providing critical flood protection and water supply in the region.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Middle Fork poses a high hazard potential and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's emergency action plan is up to date, but further risk management measures may be necessary to mitigate potential threats. Its uncontrolled spillway and maximum discharge capacity of 800 cubic feet per second highlight the importance of effective monitoring and maintenance to safeguard the surrounding communities and water resources.
Middle Fork's strategic location and vital role in flood control and water supply underscore the significance of its operation and maintenance. As a key asset in the region's water resource infrastructure, the dam serves as a critical line of defense against potential disasters while supporting the needs of local residents and ecosystems. Ongoing vigilance and proactive risk management efforts are essential to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of Middle Fork in the face of evolving climate challenges and water resource dynamics.
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 Middle Fork -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piceance Creek Bl Ryan Gulch | 1 cfs | → |
| White River Below Meeker | 529 cfs | → |
| Corral Gulch Near Rangely | 0 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 458 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 3,450 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 484 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Middle Fork.
Campgrounds
- Sage Campground
- Cedar Campground
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Cedar Mountain Camp
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Rifle Mountain County Park
Fishing spots
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Rio Blanco Lake
- Jerry Creek Reservoirs
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Meadow Creek Lake
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Middle Fork 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 Middle Fork
Where does the data for Middle Fork 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 Middle Fork.