Kem Lake dam
Kem Lake
Nestled in the scenic countryside of La Plata, Colorado, Kem Lake, also known as Donald Brown Reservoir, is a private water body with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, this earth dam structure stands at 20 feet tall and spans 320 feet in length, completed in 1984 to provide essential water storage for the surrounding area. With a normal storage capacity of 49 acre-feet and a surface area of 8 acres, Kem Lake plays a crucial role in supporting local wildlife and recreational activities.
The reservoir is fed by Elbert Creek and is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring proper inspection, enforcement, and permitting procedures are in place for its maintenance and operation. Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, Kem Lake is assessed to be in fair condition as of December 2017, with a moderate risk level of 3. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 31 feet and is equipped with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate for water control. Its strategic location just 20 miles away from Durango makes it a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore and appreciate the intersection of nature and infrastructure in the region.
For those passionate about water resources and climate dynamics, Kem Lake offers a captivating blend of ecological significance and engineering ingenuity. From supporting diverse fish and wildlife populations to providing a serene backdrop for recreational pursuits, this privately owned reservoir in Colorado stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human development and natural ecosystems. With its modest storage capacity, well-maintained structure, and regulated operations, Kem Lake serves as a beacon of sustainable water management practices in the picturesque landscape of La Plata County.
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 Kem Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River Above Tacoma | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Vallecito Creek Near Bayfield | 420 cfs | → |
| Florida R Bl Flor Farmers Ditch | 13 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Durango | 944 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Below Rico | 291 cfs | → |
| Animas River Blw Durango Pump Plant Nr Durango | 901 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kem Lake.
Campgrounds
- Chris Park Group Campground
- Haviland Lake
- Haviland Lake Campground
- Lower Hermosa Campground
- Transfer Park
- Transfer Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
- Animas River
- South Mineral Creek
- Lake Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Kem Lake 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 Kem Lake
Where does the data for Kem Lake 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 Kem Lake.