Platoro Dike dam
Platoro Dike
Platoro Dike, located in Conejos County, Colorado, is a key structure managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for flood risk reduction along the Conejos River. Completed in 1951, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 85 feet and spans 590 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 73,317 acre-feet and a normal storage of 53,506 acre-feet, Platoro Dike plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Not only does Platoro Dike serve the primary purpose of flood risk reduction, but it also supports irrigation activities in the area. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has not had a recent condition assessment available. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in October 2019, highlighting the importance of preparedness and risk management for this critical infrastructure. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Platoro Dike is a vital component in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in 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 Platoro Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 305 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Wightman Fork Near Jasper | -999 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork At Mouth Near Jasper | 3 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 15 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Terrace Reservoir | 317 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 209 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Platoro Dike.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Platoro Reservoir
- Kerr Lake Fishing Site
- Lost Lake
- Poage Lake Fishing Site
- La Jara Reservoir
- Spectacle Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- El Rito Azul--Blue Lake (Sec 26, T35n, R3e) And Portion Of Conejos Above Platoro Reservoir To Upper Reach Of Platoro Reservoir--Sec 6, T35n, R4e
- Middle Fork--Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks--Sec 14, T35n, R3e
- North Fork--Sec 8, T35n, R2e To Confluence With Middle Fork
- Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
- South Fork--Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
- Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
More reservoirs
Track Platoro Dike 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 Platoro Dike
Where does the data for Platoro Dike 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 Platoro Dike.