Laune dam
Laune
Laune, also known as N. Delaney Butte Lake, is a private water resource located in Cowdrey, Colorado, within the beautiful Jackson County. This reservoir sits along the Roaring Fork River and serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, fire protection, stock watering, and recreation. Built in 1971, Laune is an earth dam standing at 27 feet tall and spanning 460 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 4496 acre-feet and a surface area of 258 acres, this reservoir plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Laune is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition was assessed as fair during the last inspection in 2016. The risk assessment for Laune indicates a moderate level of risk, with measures in place to manage any potential hazards. Water and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Laune in maintaining water supply, supporting agriculture, and enhancing recreational opportunities in the area.
With its tranquil setting and vital role in water resource management, Laune is a noteworthy feature in Colorado's landscape. The reservoir's presence along the Roaring Fork River adds to the scenic beauty of the region while serving practical purposes for irrigation and other water-related activities. As climate change continues to impact water resources, monitoring and maintaining structures like Laune become increasingly important to ensure sustainable water use and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Laune -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan River At Walden | 24 cfs | → |
| North Platte River Near Northgate | 127 cfs | → |
| Illinois Creek Near Rand | 6 cfs | → |
| Fish Cr At Upper Sta Nr Steamboat Springs | 14 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 71 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laune.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Laune
Where does the data for Laune 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 below 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.
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.