Hourglass dam
Hourglass
Hourglass, also known as Big Beaver, is a vital water resource located in Larimer County, Colorado. Built in 1898, this Earth-type dam stands at 45 feet high and serves primarily for irrigation and water supply purposes. With a maximum storage capacity of 2180 acre-feet and a normal storage of 1729 acre-feet, Hourglass plays a crucial role in supporting the water needs of the surrounding area.
Managed by the local government, Hourglass is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring that the dam meets state standards for inspection, permitting, and enforcement. The dam's spillway, with a width of 120 feet, is uncontrolled, adding to the high hazard potential of the structure. Despite the moderate risk assessment, Hourglass has been assessed as in satisfactory condition as of July 2020, highlighting its importance in maintaining a reliable water supply for the region.
With its strategic location on Beaver Creek-TR, Hourglass serves as a key component of the water infrastructure in Fort Collins, Colorado. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the intricacies of Hourglass and its role in water supply management is essential for ensuring the sustainability and resilience of the region's water resources in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demands.
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 Hourglass -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir | 30 cfs | → |
| Grand River Ditch At La Poudre Pass | 118 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Above Joe Wright Reservoir | 3 cfs | → |
| Michigan River Near Cameron Pass | 8 cfs | → |
| Laramie River Near Glendevey | 64 cfs | → |
| Colorado R Below Baker Gulch | 192 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hourglass.
Boat launches
- Chambers Lake Boating Site
- 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)
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Rustic (Upper)
- Big South
- Spencer Heights
- Headwaters To Fan Lake
- Upper Narrows
More reservoirs
Track Hourglass 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 Hourglass
Where does the data for Hourglass 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 Hourglass.