Squaw Lake dam
Squaw Lake
Squaw Lake, located in Hinsdale, Colorado, is a federally owned reservoir managed by the Forest Service for recreational purposes. Built in 1939, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 162 acre-feet and a normal storage of 122 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 19 acres and is fed by Squaw Creek, offering visitors a picturesque setting for outdoor activities.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Squaw Lake is considered a safe and well-maintained recreational site. While the dam has not been rated for its condition, regular inspections by the Forest Service ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. Despite its small drainage area of 1 square mile, Squaw Lake can discharge up to 120 cubic feet per second through an uncontrolled spillway, providing a unique hydrological feature in the area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Squaw Lake for its historical significance, scenic beauty, and recreational opportunities. Situated in a remote location near 30 Mile Campground and Trailhead, visitors to the lake can enjoy fishing, hiking, and camping while admiring the surrounding natural landscape. As a regulated and permitted reservoir, Squaw Lake exemplifies responsible water management practices in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Squaw Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 267 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 9 cfs | → |
| Vallecito Creek Near Bayfield | 150 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 127 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 100 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Squaw Lake.
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Cr 243 La Plata County
- Alberta Lake Fishing Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Road Canyon Dam Fishing Site
- Teal Boat Ramp
- Williams Creek Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Love Lake Picnic Site
Paddle runs
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Squaw Lake 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 Squaw Lake
Where does the data for Squaw Lake 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 Squaw Lake.