Panama No. 1 - South dam
Panama No. 1 - South
Panama No. 1 - South, also known as Baller Lake or Swede Lake, is a private earth dam located in Boulder County, Colorado. Built in 1904 for irrigation purposes, this dam stands at 16 feet high and spans 1200 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 6979 acre-feet. Situated along Boulder Creek, this dam serves not only for irrigation but also for recreation, providing a surface area of 370 acres for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Panama No. 1 - South has a significant hazard potential due to its location and design, but its condition is assessed as satisfactory. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in June 2020. The dam's spillway, an uncontrolled type with a width of 426 feet, helps regulate water levels during high flow events, ensuring the safety of downstream areas. Despite its age, this dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
With a moderate risk level assigned to it, Panama No. 1 - South remains a key infrastructure for water supply and recreational purposes in the area. As climate change impacts water resources, the proper management and maintenance of such dams become increasingly important. The owners and regulatory agencies are actively involved in ensuring the safety and functionality of this dam, reflecting a commitment to sustainable water resource practices in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Panama No. 1 - South -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 3 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 159 cfs | → |
| Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder | 90 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
| St Vrain Cr Blw Boulder Cr At Hwy 119 Nr Longmont | 522 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Panama No. 1 - South.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Brighton
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Thomas Reservoir
- Teller Lake No. 5
- Erie Lake
- Cattail Pond At Boulder County Fairgrounds
- Izaak Walton Pond
- Rogers Grove - Fairgrounds Lake
Track Panama No. 1 - South 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 Panama No. 1 - South
Where does the data for Panama No. 1 - South 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 Significant 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 Panama No. 1 - South.