Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2 dam
Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2
Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2, located in Colorado Springs, is a vital flood risk reduction infrastructure that plays a crucial role in protecting the area from potential flooding along the Sand Creek. Constructed in 2009, this earth dam stands at 21 feet in height and spans 920 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 144 acre-feet. Designed by Richard Wray of Kiowa Engineering Corporation, this basin is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and effectiveness in managing floodwaters.
With a hazard potential rated as low and a satisfactory condition assessment, Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2 serves as a reliable flood control measure for the community. The uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 140 feet, helps manage maximum discharges of up to 25,500 cubic feet per second during heavy rainfall events. Despite its moderate risk rating, this detention basin operates efficiently to mitigate flood risks and protect the surrounding area from potential inundation, demonstrating its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in El Paso County.
Managed by the local government, this detention basin reflects a collaborative effort to address flood risks and enhance community safety. As a key component of flood risk reduction infrastructure in the region, Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2 stands as a testament to proactive measures taken to safeguard against the impacts of extreme weather events and ensure the sustainable management of water resources in the face of a changing climate.
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 Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek At Woodmen Rd Nr Colo Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Ck At Union Blvd | 2 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Mouth | 4 cfs | → |
| Monument Creek At Pikeview | 27 cfs | → |
| Monument Cr Abv Woodmen Rd At Colorado Springs | 20 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2.
Campgrounds
- Peregrine Pines Family Camp
- Peregrine Pines Military - Usaf Academy
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park
- Thunder Ridge
- Thunder Ridge Campground
- Meadow Ridge
Fishing spots
- Pikeview Reservoir
- Prospect Lake (Colorado Springs)
- Quail Lake
- Deadmans Creek
- Willow Springs Ponds
- Nichols Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2 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 Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2
Where does the data for Sand Creek Detention Basin 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 Low 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 Sand Creek Detention Basin No. 2.