Rifle Valley dam
Rifle Valley
Located in Garfield County, Colorado, Rifle Valley, also known as Fravert, is a Federal-owned fish and wildlife pond with a primary purpose of enhancing the local ecosystem. Constructed in 1906, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a hydraulic height of 26 feet, providing a storage capacity of 680 acre-feet. The dam spans 240 feet in length and is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring proper inspection and maintenance to meet state standards.
Despite its age, Rifle Valley dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. The last inspection conducted in June 1989 deemed the dam in satisfactory condition, although it remains unrated. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates contribute to its risk profile, but its location in a remote area with minimal associated structures helps mitigate potential hazards. While the dam does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan in place, its regular inspection schedule and state oversight support its ongoing safe operation for the benefit of local fish and wildlife populations.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rifle Valley presents an intriguing case study of a historic dam serving a vital ecological function. With its modest size and limited storage capacity, the dam represents a balance between conservation efforts and infrastructure maintenance. As climate change continues to impact water resources, monitoring and managing structures like Rifle Valley will be crucial to ensuring the resilience of ecosystems 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 Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Divide Creek Near Raven | 46 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 2,080 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 829 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 520 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 20 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 233 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rifle Valley.
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
- Vega Reservoir
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Jerry Creek Reservoirs
Paddle runs
Track Rifle Valley 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 Valley
Where does the data for Rifle Valley 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 Rifle Valley.