Poso Detention Dam dam
Poso Detention Dam
Poso Detention Dam, also known as Riprap, is a federal-owned structure located in Conejos, Colorado, designed for flood risk reduction along a tributary to the Conejos River. Built in 1963 by the Bureau of Land Management, this gravity dam stands at a structural height of 36 feet with a hydraulic height of 30 feet, spanning a length of 1171 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 263.7 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 46.7 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 307 acres.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure and not yet rated for condition assessment, Poso Detention Dam is regulated by the Department of Water Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The dam has not undergone any modifications since its completion and is equipped with emergency action plans, although their details have not been updated recently. While the dam does not have outlet gates or associated locks, its primary purpose remains flood risk reduction, serving as a crucial asset in managing water resources and climate-related challenges in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Poso Detention Dam represents a significant engineering feat in mitigating flood risks and protecting surrounding areas from potential inundation. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this gravity dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and storage along a vital tributary to the Conejos River. With its strategic location and design, the dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management, highlighting the importance of infrastructure in addressing climate-related challenges in Colorado and beyond.
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 Poso Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Conejos River Near Mogote | 821 cfs | → |
| La Jara Creek At Gallegos Ranch | 7 cfs | → |
| San Antonio River At Mouth | 61 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 209 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Near Lobatos | 63 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Terrace Reservoir | 317 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Poso Detention Dam.
Campgrounds
- Mogote - Juniper Group Camping Site
- Mogote Campground
- Mogote
- Aspen Glade Campground
- Aspen Glade
- Los Pinos
Fishing spots
- Rio San Antonio
- La Manga Creek (Beaver Ponds)
- La Jara Reservoir
- Spectacle Lake Fishing Site
- Trujillo Meadows Lake
- Lost Lake
Track Poso Detention Dam 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 Poso Detention Dam
Where does the data for Poso Detention Dam 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 Poso Detention Dam.