Deep Slough dam
Deep Slough
Deep Slough, also known as Reservoir #13, is a private irrigation and recreation reservoir located in Cedaredge, Colorado. Constructed in 1965, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 21 feet and has a storage capacity of 847 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 523 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 54 acres and is fed by Ward Creek, making it a vital water resource in the region.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Deep Slough is classified as a high hazard potential dam with a fair condition assessment. It features an uncontrolled spillway, slide gates, and sluice gates as outlet structures. The reservoir serves primarily for irrigation purposes, supporting agriculture in the area. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure public safety and water resource sustainability.
With its picturesque location in Delta County and proximity to the Ward Creek, Deep Slough offers both recreational opportunities and essential water supply for agricultural activities. As a regulated and permitted structure, it plays a crucial role in water management and climate resilience efforts in the region. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change will find Deep Slough to be a fascinating example of human-made infrastructure supporting both environmental conservation and community needs.
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 Deep Slough -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 31 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 25 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 37 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 31 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 413 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 768 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deep Slough.
⚓ Boat launches
- Z Road Delta County
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Little Bear Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Island Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Island Lake
- Cobbett Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Carp Lake
- Ward Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
- Deep Slough Reservoir
- Little Gem Reservoir
- Island Lake (Grand Mesa)
- Ward Lake
- Ward Creek Reservoir
- Cobbett (Carp) Lake
🛶 Paddle runs
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Roubideau Creek Segment 1
- Potter Creek
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Deep Slough 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 Deep Slough
Where does the data for Deep Slough 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 Deep Slough.