Dry Creek dam
Dry Creek
Dry Creek, located in Larimer, Colorado, is a vital water resource managed by a public utility. Constructed in 2007 by Boyle Engineering, this earth dam stands at a height of 52 feet and serves primarily for water supply purposes. With a storage capacity of 10,500 acre-feet and a drainage area of one square mile, Dry Creek plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
The dam's spillway, measuring 41 feet in width, is uncontrolled, and with a maximum discharge of 2,964 cubic feet per second, it ensures the safe release of excess water. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in October 2020. With state regulation, inspection, and enforcement in place, Dry Creek Dam continues to provide essential water supply services to the city of Berthoud and surrounding areas.
Managed by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in Colorado, Dry Creek Dam is a key infrastructure ensuring water security in the region. With its moderate risk assessment and regular inspections, the dam remains a reliable structure for water management, contributing to the sustainability of the local ecosystem and community. As climate change impacts water resources, the proper maintenance and regulation of dams like Dry Creek are essential for ensuring a stable and secure water supply for future generations.
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 Dry Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 117 cfs | → |
| Big Thompson River At Loveland | 127 cfs | → |
| Buckhorn Creek Near Masonville | 22 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 4 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
| St Vrain Cr Blw Boulder Cr At Hwy 119 Nr Longmont | 165 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dry Creek.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
- Filter Plant River Access Point (Put-In)
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Bridges River Access Point (Put-In)
- Pineview River Access Point (Put-In, Take-Out)
Campgrounds
- Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds
- North Pine Campground
- Carter Lake - North Side Campgrounds
- Flatiron Reservoir
- Meadow Park
- Pinewood Reservoir
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Dry Creek 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 Dry Creek
Where does the data for Dry Creek 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 Dry Creek.