Little H O dam
Little H O
Little H O, also known as Upper Reservoir or Hankinson No 2, is a private dam located in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. Completed in 1951, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a hydraulic height of 32 feet, serving primarily for irrigation purposes. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 73 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 7 acres, with a normal storage capacity of 35 acre-feet.
Despite its age, Little H O is rated as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, last inspected in November 2013. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 10 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 200 cubic feet per second. While it is state-regulated with permits and inspections in place, the risk assessment for the dam is moderate (3), indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and potential risk management measures in the future.
Located in Grand County, Colorado, Little H O's design includes stone core types and an unlisted/unknown foundation. With its association with the Walden Hollow-TR river or stream, this dam plays a crucial role in supporting the local irrigation needs and highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring water resources in the face of changing climate 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 Little H O -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Granby | 76 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Lake Granby | 108 cfs | → |
| Fraser River Blw Crooked Cr At Tabernash Co | 34 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Below Willow Creek Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Ranch Creek Blw Meadow Cr Nr Tabernash Co | 26 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Bl Shadow Mountain Reservoir | 518 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little H O.
Boat launches
- Cr 6 Grand County
- Willow Creek Boating Site
- Us 34 Grand County
- Grand County
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Hilltop Boating Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Granby Lake
- Monarch Lake
- Meadow Creek Reservoir
- Willow Creek Fishing Site
- Long Lake (Hell Canyon) - Ipwa
- Watanga Lake - Ipwa
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road
- Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115
- Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Nsv
- Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of Fern Lake Road To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Begins 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road To Ends Where River Segment Exits Rocky Mountain National Park
More reservoirs
Track Little H O 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 Little H O
Where does the data for Little H O 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 Little H O.