East Portal Dam dam
East Portal Dam
East Portal Dam, located in Larimer County, Colorado, is a key water resource managed by the Bureau of Reclamation since its completion in 1947. This earth dam, situated on the Wind River, serves a critical role in water management within the region. With a surface area of 2 acres and a length of 245 feet, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and storage in the area.
The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation and is subject to state regulations and inspections by the Department of Water Resources. With a high hazard potential, the dam's safety and maintenance are closely monitored and inspected regularly. Although the condition assessment is not currently available, the Bureau of Reclamation is actively involved in the operations, inspections, and regulatory aspects of the dam to ensure its functionality and safety.
East Portal Dam's location within the Omaha District and its association with the Wind River highlight its significance in water resource management in the region. With state-regulated enforcement and inspection, the dam's role in water storage and flow control is vital for maintaining the ecological balance and water supply in the area. As a focal point for water enthusiasts and climate advocates, East Portal Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management 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 East Portal Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Lake Outlet Blw Chipmunk Ln At Grand Lk | 35 cfs | → |
| Colorado R Below Baker Gulch | 150 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Bl Shadow Mountain Reservoir | 23 cfs | → |
| Grand River Ditch At La Poudre Pass | 77 cfs | → |
| South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward | 37 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 89 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Portal Dam.
Boat launches
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Hilltop Boating Site
- Grand County
- Us 34 Grand County
- Cr 6 Grand County
- Willow Creek Boating Site
Fishing spots
- Sprague Lake - Rmnp
- Lily Lake - Rmnp
- Big Thompson River
- Mills Lake - Rmnp
- Jewel Lake - Rmnp
- Dream Lake - Rmnp
Paddle runs
- Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of Fern Lake Road To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115
- Nsv
- Headwaters To Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Gnar Section
Track East Portal 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 East Portal Dam
Where does the data for East Portal 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 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 East Portal Dam.