Shoshone Diversion Dam dam
Shoshone Diversion Dam
The Shoshone Diversion Dam, located on the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is a concrete structure completed in 1909 by the Central Colorado Power Company. This dam serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and stands at a height of 21 feet with a hydraulic height of 19 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 516 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 420 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
The Shoshone Diversion Dam has a spillway width of 289 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1,782 cubic feet per second. The dam is considered to have a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The last inspection in April 2020 showed that the dam meets regulatory standards and is regularly monitored for safety. With its historical significance and continued operation as a vital hydroelectric facility, the Shoshone Diversion Dam is a key component of the water infrastructure in Colorado.
Despite its age, the Shoshone Diversion Dam continues to provide reliable hydroelectric power and water storage for the surrounding area. The dam's association with the Colorado River and its impact on water resource management make it a valuable asset for climate enthusiasts and water resource professionals alike. As efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable water use intensify, the Shoshone Diversion Dam remains a focal point for ensuring water security and energy sustainability 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 Shoshone Diversion Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 3,130 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 616 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River Near Emma | 529 cfs | → |
| Crystal River Ab Avalanche C | 798 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shoshone Diversion Dam.
Boat launches
- Grizzly Creek Garfield County
- Dotsero Landing Boat Ramp
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
- Community Boat Ramp
- I 70 Garfield County
Campgrounds
- Coffee Pot Spring
- Upper Colorado Rec Area
- Lyons Gulch Dispersed
- Lyons Gulch Campground
- Cottonwood Island
- White Owl
Fishing spots
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
- Gypsum Ponds
- Christine Lake
- Fryingpan River
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
Paddle runs
- Barrel Springs
- Nf Boundary To East End Of Glenwood Canyon
- Shoshone (Power Plant To Grizzly Creek)
- Shoshone Power Plant To Nf Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Shoshone Diversion 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 Shoshone Diversion Dam
Where does the data for Shoshone Diversion 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 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 Shoshone Diversion Dam.