Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1 dam
Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1
Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1 is a public utility dam located in Montrose, Colorado, with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Built in 1993 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet and has a hydraulic height of 41 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 277 acre-feet and a normal storage of 184 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 1390 feet and covers a surface area of 15 acres, serving to control the flow of Coal Creek-TR and protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in October 2019, Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1 is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates pose a potential risk in the event of a significant discharge event. Emergency action plans are in place, although updates and revisions may be necessary to meet current guidelines and ensure effective risk management protocols.
Overall, Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1 serves as a crucial infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the region, highlighting the importance of water resource management and climate resilience efforts. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to stay informed about the status and condition of such dams to support sustainable practices and safeguard communities against potential natural disasters.
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 Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uncompahgre River At Colona | 83 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Below Gunnison Tunnel | 303 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Delta | 100 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Below Ridgway Reservoir | 96 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 886 cfs | → |
| Smith Fork Near Lazear | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1.
Boat launches
- Chukar Boat Ramp
- Orchard Boat Launch
- Shea Road Delta County
- Ouray County
- South River Road Delta County
- Delta County
Campgrounds
- Cedar Creek Rv Park
- Silesca Guard Station
- Iron Springs
- Iron Springs Campground
- Iron Springs Campground - Ouray Rd
- Chukar Trailhead Camping Area
Fishing spots
Track Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1 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 Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1
Where does the data for Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1 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 Shavano Valley #1 - Sv-1.