Rams Horn dam
Rams Horn
Rams Horn is a privately-owned irrigation dam located in Yampa, Colorado, on Dome Creek. Completed in 1942, this earth dam stands at 21 feet tall and stretches 253 feet in length, providing vital water storage of 187 acre-feet for agricultural purposes in the region. With a low hazard potential and an unsatisfactory condition assessment from a 2013 inspection, Rams Horn presents a moderate risk level that requires attention and potential risk management measures in the future.
Despite its age, Rams Horn continues to serve its primary purpose of irrigation for the local area, with a normal storage capacity of 122 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1036 cubic feet per second. As a state-regulated structure under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Rams Horn has undergone periodic inspections and maintenance, with the last assessment conducted in September 2013. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and moderate risk level underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and potential upgrades to ensure its continued safety and reliability for water resource management in the region.
With its historical significance and vital role in local agriculture, Rams Horn stands as a testament to the importance of water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with dams like Rams Horn is crucial for sustainable water management practices and the resilience of communities that rely on these critical structures for their water supply needs.
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 Rams Horn -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 8 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 526 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 347 cfs | → |
| Piney River Near State Bridge | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rams Horn.
Boat launches
- Pinball Access Boat Ramp
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Bear Lake Campground
- Bear River Developed Camp Sites
- Horseshoe Campground
- Sheriffs Reservoir
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Crosho Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Crosho Lake
- Trappers Lake
- Lake Of The Woods
- Stagecoach Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Burns To Dotsero
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- State Bridge To Two Bridges
- Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
- 1/4 Mile Below Headwaters To Deep Creek Diversion Ditch
- Colorado River Segment 6
More reservoirs
Track Rams Horn 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 Rams Horn
Where does the data for Rams Horn 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 Rams Horn.