Leemans Lake dam
Leemans Lake
Leemans Lake in Weld County, Colorado, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. The earth dam, standing at 17 feet tall and stretching 984 feet in length, was completed in 1946 and has a maximum storage capacity of 73 acre-feet. The lake covers an area of 8 acres and is situated along the Beebe Draw-TR river or stream.
Despite being state-regulated and regularly inspected, the dam at Leemans Lake has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. The last inspection was conducted in October 1984 with an inspection frequency of 6 years. The risk assessment for the dam indicates a high risk level of 2, prompting the need for potential risk management measures to be considered.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Leemans Lake offers a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure and management. With its historical significance, unique design features, and ongoing regulatory oversight, the lake serves as a reminder of the crucial role that water storage and irrigation play in Colorado's agricultural landscape. As discussions around water conservation and sustainability continue to grow, Leemans Lake stands as a valuable example of the careful balance between human development and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Leemans Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton | 11 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Fort Lupton | 140 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Henderson | 190 cfs | → |
| First Cr Ab 96th Ave | 1 cfs | → |
| First Cr Bel Buckley Rd | 2 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Mouth | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leemans Lake.
Boat launches
- Adams County
- Brighton
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
Campgrounds
- St. Vrain State Park
- Union Reservoir
- Boulder County Fairground
- Standley Lake
- Tipi Village
- Missile Site Park
Fishing spots
- Hudson Fishing Pond
- Banner Lakes Swa
- Brighton City Park Lake
- Barr Lake
- Ken Mitchell Park Pond
- Adams County Fairground Lakes
Paddle runs
- Lower Boulder Canyon
- October Hole
- Black Bear Hole & A-Hole
- Golden Whitewater Park
- Tunnel 1 To Golden Whitewater Park
- Ssv - Confluence To Picnic Grounds
More reservoirs
Track Leemans Lake 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 Leemans Lake
Where does the data for Leemans Lake 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 Leemans Lake.