Shaw - South Dam dam
Shaw - South Dam
Shaw - South Dam, located in South Fork, Colorado, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1895, this Earth-type dam stands at 19 feet high and spans 525 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 891 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Kitty Creek-OS and is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, ensuring that it meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements.
With a significant hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2019, Shaw - South Dam poses a moderate risk to the surrounding area. Despite its age, the dam has been maintained to meet safety standards, with an uncontrolled spillway and a maximum discharge of 882 cubic feet per second. The dam's location in Mineral County, Colorado, makes it a key feature for fish and wildlife habitats, as well as a recreational spot for visitors seeking outdoor activities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Shaw - South Dam serves as a notable example of historical dam construction and management in Colorado. As a regulated structure with a focus on recreation and fish and wildlife conservation, it showcases the importance of balancing human activity with environmental stewardship in maintaining water resources. With its picturesque setting and vital role in the local ecosystem, Shaw - South Dam continues to be a significant landmark for those interested in water infrastructure and conservation efforts in the region.
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 Shaw - South Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 474 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 105 cfs | → |
| East Fork San Juan River Nr Pagosa Springs | -888 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 819 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 12 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork At Mouth Near Jasper | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shaw - South Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Big Meadows
- Big Meadows Campground And Picnic Area
- Park Creek Camp #1
- Park Creek - South Fork
- Tucker Ponds Campground
- Tucker Ponds
Fishing spots
- Shaw Lake
- Big Meadows Reservoir
- Pass Creek Lake Fishing Site
- Tucker Ponds Fishing Site
- Alberta Park Reservoir
- Beaver Creek Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Headwaters (Sec 21, T38n, R1e) To 1/4 Mile Above Big Meadows Reservoir
- Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
- Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
Track Shaw - South Dam 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 Shaw - South Dam
Where does the data for Shaw - South Dam 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 Shaw - South Dam.