Lake Capote dam
Lake Capote
Lake Capote, also known as Pargin, is a stunning reservoir located in Archuleta County, Colorado. Managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this federal-owned lake serves as a popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a primary purpose of recreation, Lake Capote offers a serene escape for visitors to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Constructed in 1948, Lake Capote stands at a structural height of 42 feet and has a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet. The dam, primarily made of earth, spans a length of 742 feet and is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available," with the last inspection taking place in June 2012.
While specific details about the lake's surface area, drainage area, and spillway type are not provided, Lake Capote remains a picturesque destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Colorado's landscape. With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, Lake Capote offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of water resources and climate in a recreational setting.
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 Capote -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piedra River Near Arboles | 399 cfs | → |
| San Juan River Near Carracas | 768 cfs | → |
| San Juan River At Pagosa Springs | 804 cfs | → |
| Los Pinos River Near Ignacio | 1 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At La Boca | 40 cfs | → |
| Los Pinos River At La Boca | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Capote.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Echo Canyon Reservoir
- Navajo Reservoir
- Vallecito Reservoir
- Williams Creek Reservoir
- Teal Boat Ramp
- Lemon Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Indian Creek To Co Hwy 160
- Fdr 631 To Indian Creek
- Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Colorado Stateline
- Ef/Middle Fork At Weminuche Wilderness Boundary To Forest Development Road 631
- Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
More reservoirs
Track Lake Capote 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 Capote
Where does the data for Lake Capote 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 Lake Capote.