Mccaslin dam
Mccaslin
Mccaslin is a privately owned dam located in Boulder, Colorado, specifically in the city of Longmont, along the St Vrain Creek-TR. Completed in 1908, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 435 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 167 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for irrigation, serving the local agricultural community in the area. Mccaslin is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources (DWR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Mccaslin poses a moderate risk due to its location and the potential impacts of a breach or failure. Its spillway, of uncontrolled type with a width of 44 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 600 cfs. The dam has not been significantly modified over the years, and emergency action plans and risk management measures are not explicitly outlined in the available data. Joe Neguse, a Democratic Representative, oversees the congressional district where Mccaslin is situated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the safety and functionality of this vital water resource infrastructure amid changing climate conditions and increasing water demands 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 Mccaslin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 89 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 1 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 36 cfs | → |
| Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder | 37 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mccaslin.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
Campgrounds
- Meadow Park
- Boulder County Fairground
- Union Reservoir
- Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds
- St. Vrain State Park
- North Pine Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- October Hole
- Black Bear Hole & A-Hole
- Ssv - Confluence To Picnic Grounds
- Lower Boulder Canyon
- Nsv
- Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
More reservoirs
Track Mccaslin 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 Mccaslin
Where does the data for Mccaslin 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 Mccaslin.