Lake Loveland dam
Lake Loveland
Lake Loveland, located in Larimer County, Colorado, is a privately owned reservoir with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1894. Primarily used for irrigation, this earth dam structure stands at 47 feet tall and spans 1600 feet in length, providing essential water storage for the surrounding area. With a normal storage capacity of 12,736 acre-feet and a surface area of 493 acres, Lake Loveland plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities and water supply needs in the region.
Despite its age, Lake Loveland has been well-maintained, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in September 2020. However, being classified as a high hazard potential dam, it is important for regulatory agencies like the Department of Water Resources to ensure regular inspections, enforcement, and emergency preparedness measures are in place. With its scenic location near the Big Thompson River, Lake Loveland also offers recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy its tranquil waters, adding to its significance as both a practical resource and a natural gem in the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, the role of reservoirs like Lake Loveland in managing water supply and risks becomes increasingly crucial. With its high risk assessment rating and regulated status, Lake Loveland serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive dam management and the need for continued monitoring and investment in infrastructure to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure sustainable water management for future generations.
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 Loveland -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Thompson River At Loveland | 80 cfs | → |
| Buckhorn Creek Near Masonville | 21 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C | 266 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River At Fort Collins | 287 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Mouth | 88 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 89 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Loveland.
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Filter Plant River Access Point (Put-In)
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out)
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out #2)
- Bridges River Access Point (Put-In)
Campgrounds
- Boyd Lake State Park
- Carter Lake - North Side Campgrounds
- North Pine Campground
- South Bay - Horsetooth Reservoir
- Flatiron Reservoir
- Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Lake Loveland
- River`S Edge And Jayhawker Ponds
- North Lake Park Pond
- Loveland Service Center Pond
- Heinricy Lake
- Boedecker Reservoir
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Lake Loveland 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 Loveland
Where does the data for Lake Loveland 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 Loveland.