Cunning dam
Cunning
Cunning is a local government-owned Earth dam located in Brighton, Colorado, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Built in 1935, it stands at a height of 13 feet and has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 600 feet and is situated on the Brantner Gulch-OS river or stream, serving as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite being classified with a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Cunning undergoes inspections every six years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 15 feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 315 cubic feet per second. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols are continually evaluated to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of the community.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Cunning to be a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure and management. As a vital component of the local irrigation system, this Earth dam plays a crucial role in water storage and distribution, highlighting the intersection of human engineering with environmental sustainability. Its location in the picturesque Adams County, Colorado, adds to the significance of Cunning as a key water resource facility in the region, showcasing the intricate balance between human needs and natural ecosystems in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Cunning -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River At Henderson | 181 cfs | → |
| First Cr Ab 96th Ave | 1 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Mouth | 3 cfs | → |
| South Platte R At 64th Ave. Commerce City | 95 cfs | → |
| Sand Crk Abv Burlington Ditch Nr Commerce City | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cunning.
⚓ Boat launches
- Brighton
- Adams County
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
⛺ Campgrounds
- Standley Lake
- Tipi Village
- St. Vrain State Park
- Union Reservoir
- Boulder County Fairground
- Cherokee Group Site
🎣 Fishing spots
- Marshall Reservoir
- Talbott Irrigation Reservoir
- Thornton Rec Ctr Lake (Carpenter)
- Adams County Fairground Lakes
- Elaine T. Valente Open Space
- Hunters Glen Lake
Track Cunning 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 Cunning
Where does the data for Cunning 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 Cunning.