Lake Minnequa dam
Lake Minnequa
Lake Minnequa, located in Pueblo, Colorado, is a picturesque reservoir with a primary purpose of recreation and also serves as a water supply source. This Earth dam, completed in 1876, has a height of 16 feet and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 1374 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 169 acres and is fed by Salt Creek-OS.
Despite its age, Lake Minnequa has been well-maintained and is in satisfactory condition according to a 2014 assessment. With a low hazard potential and a controlled spillway, the reservoir is considered to have a very high risk assessment rating of 1. Emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan have not been specified, but regular inspections are conducted every 6 years to ensure the safety and stability of the dam.
Lake Minnequa is not only a popular recreational spot but also plays a crucial role in water supply for the local community. Its historical significance combined with its functional importance makes it a valuable resource for both residents and visitors alike in the Pueblo area.
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 Minnequa -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Moffat Street At Pueblo | 372 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Tributary Above Hwy 227 At Pueblo | 39 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek At Pueblo | 124 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Above Pueblo | 375 cfs | → |
| St. Charles River At Vineland | 5 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Avondale | 281 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Minnequa.
Campgrounds
- Arkansas Point - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Juniper Breaks - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Prairie Ridge Campground
- Eagle View Campground
- Northern Plains - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Yucca Flat Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake Minnequa
- Valco Ponds (North Gateway Park)
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Teller Reservoir
- Lake Beckwith
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Lake Minnequa 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 Minnequa
Where does the data for Lake Minnequa 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 Minnequa.