Empire (East Embankment) dam
Empire (East Embankment)
Empire (East Embankment), also known as New Empire Reservoir, is a private-owned structure located in Morgan, Colorado, along the South Platte River. Built in 1905, this Earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a storage capacity of 51,900 acre-feet, primarily serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Its purpose extends to irrigation and recreation, making it a versatile water resource for the surrounding area.
With a surface area of 2,842 acres and a drainage area of 11 square miles, Empire (East Embankment) plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem. Despite its age, the dam is in satisfactory condition and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety. However, its hazard potential is considered high, emphasizing the importance of risk management measures and emergency preparedness.
This historic structure, overseen by the Colorado state regulatory agency DWR, underscores the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As water enthusiasts and environmental stewards, understanding the significance of Empire (East Embankment) in maintaining biodiversity and supporting various water-related activities is key to advocating for its preservation and sustainable use in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Empire (East Embankment) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River At Masters | 251 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Weldona | 230 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Fort Morgan | 218 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Kersey | 294 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River Near Greeley | 64 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Cooper Bridge | 196 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Empire (East Embankment).
Campgrounds
- Jackson Lake State Park
- Riverside Rv Park
- Brush Memorial Rv Park
- Crow Valley Group Campground
- Crow Valley
- Crow Valley Family Campground
Track Empire (East Embankment) 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 Empire (East Embankment)
Where does the data for Empire (East Embankment) 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 Empire (East Embankment).