La Jara - Dam No. 2 dam
La Jara - Dam No. 2
La Jara - Dam No. 2, located in Conejos, Colorado, along the La Jara Creek, was completed in 1906 for the primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet with a hydraulic height of 24 feet and a structural height of 30 feet. It has a length of 730 feet and a storage capacity of 14,055 acre-feet, serving purposes such as fish and wildlife pond, irrigation, and recreation in the region.
Managed by the State of Colorado, the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Department of Water Resources. The dam has a significant hazard potential with a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2019. It has an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 40 feet, and a maximum discharge capacity of 1650 cubic feet per second. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam is equipped to handle emergencies with updated emergency action plans.
Overall, La Jara - Dam No. 2 plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the area. Its historical significance, recreational value, and environmental impact make it a key structure in the region, ensuring water supply, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.
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 La Jara - Dam No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 64 cfs | → |
| La Jara Creek At Gallegos Ranch | 3 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Terrace Reservoir | 26 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 20 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Wightman Fork Near Jasper | -999 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork At Mouth Near Jasper | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near La Jara - Dam No. 2.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About La Jara - Dam No. 2
Where does the data for La Jara - Dam No. 2 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 below 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.
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.