Bulkley Dam dam
Bulkley Dam
Bulkley Dam, located in Routt County, Colorado, is a federal-owned structure built in 1904 by the USDA Forest Service. Situated on Egeria Creek, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 189 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet primarily designated for Fish and Wildlife Pond purposes. Despite its age, Bulkley Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, making it a relatively stable and secure water resource for the surrounding area.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 15 feet, is uncontrolled, and its inspection frequency is set at 10 years. The last recorded inspection took place in July 2012, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the structure's continued safety and functionality. Although Bulkley Dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," its risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols remain unspecified, indicating potential areas for improvement in order to enhance overall resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bulkley Dam serves as a significant example of early 20th-century engineering in the realm of water management. As debates surrounding sustainable water use and infrastructure resilience continue to grow, understanding the history and characteristics of structures like Bulkley Dam can provide valuable insights into navigating the complex intersection of human development and environmental conservation in 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 Bulkley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Kremmling | 227 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 6 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Muddy Crk Blw Wolford Mtn Reser. Nr Kremmling | 20 cfs | → |
| Piney River Near State Bridge | 129 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Above Antelope Creek Nr. Kremmling | 73 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bulkley Dam.
Boat launches
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Radium Rec Site Boat Ramp
- State Bridge Boat Ramp
- State Bridge River Access
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Stagecoach Reservoir
- Crosho Lake
- Wolford Mountain Reservoir
- Trappers Lake
Paddle runs
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- State Bridge To Two Bridges
- Pumphouse
- Colorado River Segment 5
- Colorado River Segment 6
- Burns To Dotsero
More reservoirs
Track Bulkley 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 Bulkley Dam
Where does the data for Bulkley 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 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 Bulkley Dam.