Harper And Sons dam
Harper And Sons
Harper and Sons, also known as the Ed W Harper Reservoir, is a private water resource located in Routt County, Colorado. This reservoir, completed in 1947, serves multiple purposes including irrigation, fire protection, stock, small fish ponds, and fish and wildlife habitats. With a storage capacity of 330 acre-feet, this earth dam structure stands at 29 feet tall and spans 536 feet in length along Egeria Creek.
Managed and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Harper and Sons has a low hazard potential and is considered to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in June 2020. The reservoir's spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 16 feet allowing for a maximum discharge of 809 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the reservoir's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are currently unspecified.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Harper and Sons offers a fascinating glimpse into private water management practices in Colorado. With its historical significance, multiple uses, and regulatory oversight, this reservoir serves as a vital resource for irrigation and conservation efforts in the region. Its location in the picturesque city of Toponas adds to its charm, making it a notable feature in the local landscape for both visitors and residents alike.
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 Harper And Sons -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 648 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Piney River Near State Bridge | 140 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 392 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harper And Sons.
Boat launches
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Pinball Access Boat Ramp
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
- State Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Bear River Developed Camp Sites
- Bear Lake Campground
- Horseshoe Campground
- Derby Loop Camp
- Cell Tower
- Crosho Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Crosho Lake
- Trappers Lake
- Lake Of The Woods
- Stagecoach Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Burns To Dotsero
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- State Bridge To Two Bridges
- Colorado River Segment 6
- State Bridge To Burns
- Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
More reservoirs
Track Harper And Sons 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 Harper And Sons
Where does the data for Harper And Sons 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 Harper And Sons.