South Catamount dam
South Catamount
South Catamount is a significant water resource situated in Teller County, Colorado, specifically in the charming city of Green Mountain Falls. This local government-owned dam, completed in 1935, serves as a vital water supply for the region, with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and water storage. The earth dam stands at an impressive height of 100 feet, with a length of 1,156 feet, and a storage capacity of 3,975 acre-feet.
With its location on the South Catamount Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, ensuring a stable supply for various purposes. Despite being classified as having a "High" hazard potential, South Catamount Dam is assessed as being in fair condition, following regular inspections by state regulatory agencies. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 70 feet, and it features outlet gates for water release as needed.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of South Catamount Dam in maintaining water security and supporting local communities in Teller County. The dam's moderate risk assessment level of 3 indicates a proactive approach to risk management and emergency preparedness, ensuring the safety and reliability of this critical infrastructure. As a part of the broader water management system in Colorado, South Catamount contributes to the sustainable utilization of water resources in the region while also providing opportunities for hydroelectric power generation.
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 South Catamount -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fountain Creek At Cascade | 68 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek Below Rampart Reservoir | 4 cfs | → |
| Waldo Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs | · | → |
| Williams Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs | 0 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek At Air Force Academy | 2 cfs | → |
| Camp Creek At Garden Of The Gods | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Catamount.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Thunder Ridge Campground
- Meadow Ridge
- Thunder Ridge
- Springdale Campground
- Springdale
- Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp
Fishing spots
- South Catamount Reservoir
- North Catamount Reservoir
- Crystal Creek Reservoir
- Homestake Fishing Site
- Rampart Reservoir
- Nichols Reservoir
Track South Catamount 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 South Catamount
Where does the data for South Catamount 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 South Catamount.