Rifle Gap dam
Rifle Gap
Rifle Gap, located in Garfield County, Colorado, is a federal-owned reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 157 feet and was completed in 1966. With a maximum storage capacity of 13,602 acre-feet and a surface area of 435 acres, Rifle Gap serves as a vital resource for water supply in the region.
Despite its main function for irrigation, the reservoir also offers recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy. Situated along the Rifle Creek, this high-hazard potential dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and structural integrity. With a spillway width of 25 feet and a drainage area of 142 square miles, Rifle Gap plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating potential risks associated with its operation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rifle Gap presents a fascinating case study of a multipurpose reservoir in the heart of Colorado. With its scenic location and strategic importance for both irrigation and recreation, this federal-owned dam complex stands as a testament to effective water management practices in the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and usage, understanding the dynamics of reservoirs like Rifle Gap becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring sustainable resource management and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Rifle Gap -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 593 cfs | → |
| West Divide Creek Near Raven | 57 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 2,440 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 1,060 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 272 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 321 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rifle Gap.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Cedar Campground
- Sage Campground
- Cedar Mountain Camp
- Rifle Falls State Park
- West Elk Ridge Camp
Fishing spots
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Lake Avery
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Rifle Gap 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 Rifle Gap
Where does the data for Rifle Gap 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 Rifle Gap.