Spring Creek dam
Spring Creek
Spring Creek, located in Archuleta County, Colorado, is a privately owned dam used primarily for irrigation purposes. Built in 1930, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and has a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has a spillway width of 38 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 800 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Spring Creek is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement. Despite not being rated for its current condition, the dam has not undergone any significant modifications since its last inspection in 1987. The surrounding area has a surface area of 6 acres and a drainage area of 0, presenting a minimal risk of inundation. Overall, Spring Creek serves as a vital resource for irrigation and water supply in the region.
While Spring Creek may not be a prominent structure, its role in supporting local agriculture and fire protection efforts makes it a crucial component of the water resource infrastructure in the area. With its historical significance dating back to the early 20th century, the dam continues to provide essential services while maintaining a moderate level of risk management. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance of maintaining and monitoring structures like Spring Creek is paramount in ensuring the sustainability and safety of our water supply systems.
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 Spring Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan River At Pagosa Springs | 29 cfs | → |
| East Fork San Juan River Nr Pagosa Springs | -888 cfs | → |
| Rio Blanco Bl Blanco Div Dam | 15 cfs | → |
| Vallecito Creek Near Bayfield | 57 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 96 cfs | → |
| Piedra River Near Arboles | 404 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Creek.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Spring Creek
Where does the data for Spring Creek 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 below 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.
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.