Lake Brennand dam
Lake Brennand
Lake Brennand, also known as Lake Irwin, is a picturesque reservoir nestled in Gunnison, Colorado, just 17 miles from Somerset. This state-regulated water source serves multiple purposes, including water supply, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational activities. Completed in 1963, the earth dam stands at 22 feet high and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 896 acre-feet and a surface area of 65 acres.
The dam on Lake Brennand, managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, is classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1160 cubic feet per second and an uncontrolled spillway width of 30 feet, the reservoir plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Despite its moderate risk assessment level, Lake Brennand remains a vital component of the local water supply infrastructure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the strategic location of Lake Brennand on Anthracite Creek, which contributes to a drainage area of 3 square miles. This reservoir, with its serene surroundings and diverse ecological functions, exemplifies the balance between human needs and environmental conservation. As a key component of the Sacramento District's water management system, Lake Brennand continues to play a significant role in supporting the surrounding ecosystem and supplying water to the community.
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 Lake Brennand -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East River Bl Cement Creek Nr Crested Butte | 728 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Bardine | 94 cfs | → |
| North Fork Gunnison River Near Somerset | 924 cfs | → |
| East River At Almont Co. | 599 cfs | → |
| Taylor River At Almont | 276 cfs | → |
| Minnesota Creek Near Paonia | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Brennand.
Boat launches
- Bear Road Gunnison County
- Boat Ramp Road Gunnison County
- South Bank Day Use Area/ Boat Access- Gunnison Rd
- Slot #2 Day Use Area/Boat Access- Gunnison Rd
- Grand Avenue Delta County
- Ponderosa Campground Gunnison County
Campgrounds
- Lake Irwin
- Lake Irwin Campground - Gunnison Rd
- Horse Ranch Park (Dispersed)-Paonia Rd
- Oh-Be-Joyful Campground
- Lost Lake
- Lost Lake Campground-Paonia Rd
Fishing spots
- Meridian Lake
- Lake Irwin
- Emerald Lake (Crested Butte)
- Beaver Lake Swa (Marble)
- Paonia Reservoir
- Spring Creek Reservoir
Track Lake Brennand 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 Lake Brennand
Where does the data for Lake Brennand 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 Lake Brennand.