Gold Lake #3 dam
Gold Lake #3
Gold Lake #3 is a private fish and wildlife pond located in Boulder, Colorado, with a primary purpose of supporting fish and wildlife habitats. Constructed in 1879, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 9 feet and has a storage capacity of 587 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area. The dam, with a length of 168 feet and a spillway width of 16 feet, is regulated by the state of Colorado and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its satisfactory condition.
Situated along the Bell Gulch river, Gold Lake #3 covers a surface area of 34 acres and plays a significant role in irrigation and recreational activities in the region. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating a level 3 risk. With a history dating back over a century, this water resource continues to be a vital component of the local ecosystem, providing essential support for aquatic life and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gold Lake #3 serves as a fascinating example of sustainable water management and conservation efforts in a changing climate.
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 Gold Lake #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward | 45 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 5 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Orodell | 97 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 58 cfs | → |
| Middle Boulder Creek At Nederland | 101 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 117 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gold Lake #3.
Boat launches
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Grand County
- Hilltop Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Glacier View Ranch
- Peaceful Valley
- Peaceful Valley Campground
- Camp Dick Campground
- Camp Dick
- Gordon Gulch Dispersed Camping Area
Fishing spots
- Red Rock Lake - Ipwa
- Moraine Lake - Ipwa
- Left Hand Reservoir - Ipwa
- Brainard Lake - Ipwa
- Pony Lake - Ipwa
- South Saint Vrain Fishing Site #5
Track Gold Lake #3 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 Gold Lake #3
Where does the data for Gold Lake #3 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 Gold Lake #3.