Idaho Springs dam
Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs, located in Clear Creek, Colorado, is home to the Idaho Springs Dam, constructed in 1906 for water supply purposes on Chicago Creek. This earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet, with a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a structural height of 33 feet. With a storage capacity of 320 acre-feet and a normal storage of 230 acre-feet, the dam serves as a crucial water resource for the area, supporting a drainage area of 6 square miles.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 135 feet. Regular inspections and maintenance have ensured its satisfactory condition, though its hazard potential is classified as high. Over the years, the dam has undergone structural modifications in 1977, 2001, and 2002, enhancing its resilience. With Joe Neguse representing the area in Congress, Idaho Springs remains a hub for water enthusiasts and climate advocates, showcasing the intersection of infrastructure, sustainability, and environmental stewardship in the region.
As a regulated structure by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Idaho Springs Dam plays a crucial role in water management and supply for the local community. Its history, design, and purpose underscore the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in safeguarding water resources amidst changing climate patterns. With a moderate risk assessment and a commitment to meeting regulatory guidelines, Idaho Springs stands as a testament to responsible dam ownership and operation in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Idaho Springs -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Clear Creek Abv Lower Cabin Creek Reservoir | 5 cfs | → |
| S Clear Cr Abv Lwr Cabin Cr Res Spilwy Nr Georgtwn | 2 cfs | → |
| Leavenworth Creek @ Mouth Nr Georgetown | 4 cfs | → |
| Chicago Creek Blw Devils Canyon Nr Idaho Sprgs Co | 11 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Abv West Fork Clear Creek Nr Empire Co | 41 cfs | → |
| West Fork Clear Creek Abv Mouth Nr Empire | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Idaho Springs.
⚓ Boat launches
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- Tarryall Road Park County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Echo Lake - Idaho Springs
- West Chicago Creek
- West Chicago Creek Campground
- Clear Lake
- Guanella Pass
- Guanella Pass Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Idaho Springs 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 Idaho Springs
Where does the data for Idaho Springs 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 Idaho Springs.