Longs Peak #1 dam
Longs Peak #1
Longs Peak #1 is a privately owned earth dam located in Boulder, Colorado, with a primary purpose of serving as a fish and wildlife pond. Completed in 1960, this dam has a height of 30 feet and a hydraulic height of 35 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 173 acre-feet. The dam's structure also includes a spillway width of 25 feet to manage excess water flow, with a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2019.
Situated along the ST. VRAIN CREEK-OS, Longs Peak #1 offers recreational opportunities in addition to its role in supporting fish and wildlife habitats. The dam has been regulated and permitted by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its safety and functionality. While the risk assessment for this dam is moderate, it stands as a vital component of the local ecosystem and water resource management efforts in the region.
With its strategic location and purposeful design, Longs Peak #1 represents a valuable asset in the conservation and recreational landscape of Longmont, Colorado. As a key structure for managing water resources and enhancing wildlife habitats, this dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure development in the face of climate change challenges. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience can appreciate the multifaceted role that Longs Peak #1 plays in supporting both environmental and recreational interests in the region.
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 Longs Peak #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 69 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 2 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 0 cfs | → |
| St Vrain Cr Blw Boulder Cr At Hwy 119 Nr Longmont | 71 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Longs Peak #1.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Brighton
Campgrounds
- Boulder County Fairground
- Meadow Park
- Union Reservoir
- Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds
- St. Vrain State Park
- North Pine Campground
Fishing spots
- Mcintosh Lake
- Pella Crossing
- Mccall Lake
- Loomiller Park Pond
- Golden Ponds
- Rogers Grove - Fairgrounds Lake
Paddle runs
- October Hole
- Black Bear Hole & A-Hole
- Ssv - Confluence To Picnic Grounds
- Lower Boulder Canyon
- Nsv
- Gnar Section
More reservoirs
Track Longs Peak #1 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 Longs Peak #1
Where does the data for Longs Peak #1 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 Longs Peak #1.