Fooses dam
Fooses
Fooses, also known as Salida Hydro #1 Forebay, is a public utility located in Poncha Springs, Colorado. This hydroelectric facility on Fooses Creek is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and has been in operation since 1904. With a dam height of 31 feet and a storage capacity of 25 acre-feet, Fooses serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation.
The dam at Fooses is an earth structure with a length of 218 feet and a spillway width of 15 feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the facility undergoes regular inspections every 6 years to ensure its satisfactory condition. The risk assessment for Fooses indicates a high risk level of 2, prompting the need for effective risk management measures to be put in place.
As a key player in water resource management in Chaffee County, Colorado, Fooses underscores the importance of sustainable water infrastructure for both energy production and recreational activities. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, Fooses remains a vital component of the local water resource landscape, contributing to the resilience and reliability of the region's water supply and hydroelectric capabilities.
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 Fooses -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Salida | 380 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Nathrop | 470 cfs | → |
| Tomichi Creek At Sargents | 46 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Wellsville | 444 cfs | → |
| Kerber Cr Abv Little Kerber Cr Nr Villa Grove | 11 cfs | → |
| Saguache Creek Near Saguache | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fooses.
Boat launches
- Ahra - Big Bend Rec Site
- Ahra - Stone Bridge Rec Site
- Road 191 Chaffee County
- Ahra - Hecla Junction Rec Site
- Cr 194 Chaffee County
- Ahra - Salida East Rec Site
Campgrounds
- Garfield
- Angel Of Shavano
- Angel Of Shavano Campground
- Monarch Park Campground
- Monarch Park
- North Fork Reservoir
Fishing spots
- O`Haver Lake
- Baldwin Lake
- Riverside Ponds (Mt. Ouray Swa)
- Chalk Lake Fishing Site
- Frantz Lake Swa
- Sands Lake Swa
Paddle runs
- Pass Creek
- Salida Town Run (Stone Bridge To Salida Ww Park)
- Salida Whitewater Park
- Salida To Rincon
- Arkansas River Segment 3
- Browns Canyon (Fisherman's Bridge To Stone Bridge)
More reservoirs
Track Fooses 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 Fooses
Where does the data for Fooses 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 Fooses.