South Platte Reservoir dam
South Platte Reservoir
South Platte Reservoir, located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, is a crucial water supply reservoir managed by the local government. Constructed in 2007 by TETRA TECH RMC, this reservoir on the South Platte River has a dam height of 64 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 7,435 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 152 acres and serves the primary purpose of water supply for the region.
With a spillway width of 522 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 13,045 cubic feet per second, South Platte Reservoir is equipped to manage high hazard potential. Despite this, the condition assessment of the reservoir as of March 2020 was rated as satisfactory. The risk assessment for the reservoir is moderate, and it undergoes regular inspections and is subject to state regulation and enforcement, ensuring its safe operation for water resource and climate enthusiasts who rely on its critical role in water supply management in the region.
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 Platte Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Plum Creek At Titan Rd Nr Louviers | 7 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Below Union Ave | 21 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mouth | 8 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Waterton | 52 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek Blw C-470 At Highlands Ranch | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Englewood | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Platte Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
Campgrounds
- Chatfield State Park
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Idylease Campground
- Chief Ouray Group Site
- Cherokee Group Site
- Arapahoe Group Site
Fishing spots
- South Platte Park Ponds (Littleton Flood Plain Ponds)
- Eaglewatch Lake
- Redtail Lake
- Ridgeview Park Pond
- Redstone Park Pond
- Chatfield Lake
Track South Platte Reservoir 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 Platte Reservoir
Where does the data for South Platte Reservoir 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 Platte Reservoir.