Pinon Canyon Detention dam
Pinon Canyon Detention
Pinon Canyon Detention is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Las Animas, Colorado, near the city of Trinidad. Constructed in 1954, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 73 feet and spans 695 feet in length, providing essential protection for the surrounding area. With a maximum storage capacity of 561 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 406 acre-feet, the dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and mitigating the risk of flooding along Pinon Canyon Arroyo.
Managed by local government authorities and regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Pinon Canyon Detention is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. The dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition, with a high hazard potential due to its location and purpose. In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is designed to guide response efforts and safeguard the community from potential risks associated with dam failure. Overall, Pinon Canyon Detention serves as a critical infrastructure asset for flood risk management in the region, contributing to the safety and resilience of the surrounding area 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 Pinon Canyon Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Purgatoire River At Trinidad | 28 cfs | → |
| Purgatoire River Below Trinidad Lake | 23 cfs | → |
| Purgatoire River At Madrid | 9 cfs | → |
| Luning Arroyo Near Model | 0 cfs | → |
| Van Bremer Arroyo Near Model | 0 cfs | → |
| Cucharas River At Boyd Ranch | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pinon Canyon Detention.
Campgrounds
- Carpios Ridge - Trinidad Lake State Park
- South Shore - Trinidad Lake State Park
- Monument Lake Park
- Cordova Pass Picnic Area And Campground
Fishing spots
- Trinidad Reservoir
- North Lake
- Monument Reservoir (Trinidad)
- Martin Lake
- Wahatoya Lake Reservoir
- Daigre And Wahatoya Lake
Track Pinon Canyon Detention 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 Pinon Canyon Detention
Where does the data for Pinon Canyon Detention 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 High 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 Pinon Canyon Detention.