Oberon Lake No. 1 dam
Oberon Lake No. 1
Oberon Lake No. 1, also known as Hay's Lake or Lower Oberon, is a vital water resource located in Jefferson County, Colorado. Owned by the local government, this earth dam structure was completed in 1887 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Ralston Creek-OS. The dam stands at a height of 20 feet with a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 28 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 69 acre-feet.
This historic water infrastructure covers a surface area of 3 acres and has a normal storage capacity of 6 acre-feet, serving as a low hazard potential structure with a satisfactory condition assessment. Despite its age, Oberon Lake No. 1 continues to be regulated and inspected by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring its continued functionality and safety. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and last underwent inspection in October 2012.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Oberon Lake No. 1 presents an intriguing blend of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship. As a crucial component in flood risk reduction efforts in the region, this earth dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition, Oberon Lake No. 1 remains a key player in water resource management in the picturesque city of Arvada, Colorado.
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 Oberon Lake No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Denver | 103 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| Cherry Creek At Denver | 41 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Mouth | 5 cfs | → |
| South Platte R At 64th Ave. Commerce City | 83 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oberon Lake No. 1.
Boat launches
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
Campgrounds
- Standley Lake
- Tipi Village
- Clear Creek Rv Park
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Gennessee Ropes Camp Spot
- Camp Patiya
Fishing spots
- Pomona Lake
- Pomona Lake Number 2
- Birdland Lake (Jack B. Tomlinson Park)
- Meadow Park Lake
- Faversham Park Pond
- Lake Arbor
Track Oberon Lake No. 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 Oberon Lake No. 1
Where does the data for Oberon Lake No. 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 Oberon Lake No. 1.