Trout Creek dam
Trout Creek
Trout Creek, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, is a private dam completed in 2001 for irrigation purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 70 feet, holds a storage capacity of 727 acre-feet and serves multiple functions including fish and wildlife pond, recreation, and water supply. Positioned on the Trout Creek river, the dam's primary purpose is to support agricultural activities in the area.
Managed by the owner, Trout Creek Dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a spillway width of 370 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 58,683 cubic feet per second, the dam has a high hazard potential but is currently rated as satisfactory in its condition assessment. The risk assessment for Trout Creek Dam indicates a moderate risk level (3), prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures.
Despite its high hazard potential, Trout Creek Dam continues to provide vital water resources for irrigation and supports various recreational activities in the region. Its construction and design by Stephan A. Spann reflect a commitment to water management and conservation, making it a significant feature within the water infrastructure of Colorado. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Trout Creek presents a compelling case study in dam management and the intersection of human development with natural ecosystems.
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 Trout Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River Near Nathrop | 470 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Below Granite | 371 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Above Clear Creek Reservoir | 120 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Salida | 380 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Granite | 150 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Wellsville | 444 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Trout Creek.
Boat launches
- Ahra - Fishermans Bridge Rec Site
- Ahra - Ruby Mountain Rec Sits
- Cr 300 22504, Nathrop
- Ahra - Railroad Bridge Rec Site
- Ahra - Hecla Junction Rec Site
- Cr 194 Chaffee County
Campgrounds
- Ruby Mountain - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area
- Ruby Mountain
- Mushroom Gulch Site 1
- Railroad Bridge - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area
- Mushroom Gulch Site 2
- Camp Site, Free, Without Facilities
Fishing spots
- Chalk Lake Fishing Site
- Cottonwood Lake
- Cottonwood Lake (Buena Vista)
- Baldwin Lake
- Antero Reservoir
- Clear Creek Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Milk Run
- Browns Canyon (Fisherman's Bridge To Stone Bridge)
- Arkansas River Segment 2
- Buena Vista Whitewater Park
- Fractions
- Numbers
More reservoirs
Track Trout 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 Trout Creek
Where does the data for Trout 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 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 Trout Creek.