Lake Catamount dam
Lake Catamount
Lake Catamount in Colorado, also known as Pleasant Valley, is a privately owned reservoir located near Steamboat Springs. Built in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 52 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 15,867 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of water supply, the reservoir covers a surface area of 563 acres and is fed by the Yampa River, serving as a vital resource for the surrounding area.
Managed under state jurisdiction by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Lake Catamount is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, the reservoir has a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam has been maintained to meet guidelines for emergency action plans and risk management measures, providing reassurance to the community in the event of any unforeseen incidents.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Catamount offers a fascinating example of human-made infrastructure supporting essential water supply needs in a region known for its outdoor recreational opportunities. With its strategic location and impressive storage capacity, this reservoir plays a crucial role in sustaining the ecosystem and economy of Routt County, highlighting the intricate balance between water management, environmental conservation, and community resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Catamount -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 353 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Fish Cr At Upper Sta Nr Steamboat Springs | 229 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 8 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 943 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Milner | 1,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Catamount.
⚓ Boat launches
More boat launches →⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Lower Fish Creek
- Pumphouse To Double Bridges
- Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
- Roaring Fork (West Section Line Sec 28 T9n, R82w); Red Canyon (Nw1/4 Sec 5, T8n, R82w) To East Section Line Sec 34, T9n, R82w
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- Colorado River Segment 4
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Lake Catamount 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 Catamount
Where does the data for Lake Catamount 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 Catamount.