Dowdy Lake dam
Dowdy Lake
Dowdy Lake, located in Larimer County, Colorado, is a state-regulated water resource primarily used for recreation and as a fish and wildlife pond. The Earth dam, standing at 32 feet high and 850 feet long, was completed in 1962 and has a storage capacity of 1339 acre-feet. With a surface area of 83 acres, Dowdy Lake offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Dowdy Lake has a spillway width of 15 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 440 cubic feet per second. The dam's hazard potential is rated as significant, although its condition assessment was deemed satisfactory as of August 2019. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with emergency action plans in place to mitigate potential risks and ensure public safety in the event of an emergency.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Dowdy Lake serves as a valuable asset in the region, providing both recreational opportunities and important wildlife habitat. As a state-owned and regulated facility, Dowdy Lake exemplifies the importance of proper dam management and maintenance to ensure the safety and well-being of local communities and ecosystems. With its serene surroundings and diverse ecosystem, Dowdy Lake is a must-visit destination for those seeking to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of Colorado's water resources.
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 Dowdy Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Frk Cache La Poudre R Blw Halligan Res Nr V Dal | 1 cfs | → |
| North Fork Cache La Poudre R. At Livermore | 7 cfs | → |
| Laramie River Near Glendevey | 48 cfs | → |
| Sand Creek At Colorado-Wyoming State Line | 3 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R A Mo Of Cn | 471 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dowdy Lake.
Boat launches
- Dowdy Drive 2, Larimer County
- Nowata Drive 875, Larimer County
- Nowata Drive 407, Larimer County
- Nowata Drive 597, Larimer County
- Pineview River Access Point (Put-In, Take-Out)
- Bridges River Access Point (Put-In)
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Pearl Creek To Junction Of Road West Of Creedmore Lakes In Sw 1/4 Sec 5, T10n, R73e
- End Of Four-Wheel Drive Road To Pearl Creek In Se 1/4 Sec 21, T10n, R74w
- Road West Of Creedmore Lakes To Junction Of Intermittent Stream In Sw 1/4, Sec 29, T11n, R72w
- Source In Se 1/4 Sec 25, T10n, R75w To End Of The Four-Wheel Drive Road East Of The Nf Poudre Campground (Nw 1/4 Of Sec 21, T10n, R74w
- Upper North Fork
- Intermittent Stream To Junction With Co Division Of Wildlife Angler Access Trail In Sw 1/4 Sec 22, T11n, R72w
More reservoirs
Track Dowdy Lake 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 Dowdy Lake
Where does the data for Dowdy Lake 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 Significant 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 Dowdy Lake.