Miller Creek dam
Miller Creek
Miller Creek in Routt County, Colorado, is a privately owned dam regulated by the state's Department of Water Resources. The earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans 325 feet, providing a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. With a spillway type classified as uncontrolled, the dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Even though the last inspection took place in July 1997, the dam is deemed to be in good condition and not currently rated.
Located in the scenic city of Hamilton, Miller Creek serves as a vital resource for water storage and management in the area. While the dam's primary purpose is not specified, its normal storage capacity of 85 acre-feet supports a surface area of 15 acres. With a maximum discharge of 11 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and mitigating potential downstream risks. Despite the lack of recent inspections, Miller Creek's operational status and structural integrity remain intact, ensuring continued water resource sustainability for the community.
As a key feature in the Omaha District of Colorado's Congressional District 03, Miller Creek represents a significant component of the region's water infrastructure. While the dam's specifics and associated structures are minimal, its presence and functionality contribute to the overall water management system. With state regulations in place for permitting, inspection, and enforcement, Miller Creek exemplifies the importance of private ownership in maintaining water resources and climate resilience in the face of potential hazards and risks.
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 Miller Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Near Craig | 66 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Craig | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 94 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miller Creek.
Boat launches
- Us 40 Routt County
- Pebble Beach Boat Ramp
- Moffat County
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- West Duffy Mountain Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Vaughn Lake
- Ripple Creek Pass
- Trout Creek
- Trout Creek Recreation Area
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Sheriffs Reservoir
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Pumphouse To Double Bridges
- Yampa River Segment 1
- Yampa River Segment 2
- Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
- Lower Fish Creek
More reservoirs
Track Miller Creek 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 Miller Creek
Where does the data for Miller Creek 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 Miller Creek.