Stell Lake dam
Stell Lake
Stell Lake, located in Cedaredge, Colorado, is a privately owned water resource managed by the USDA NRCS. This reservoir, completed in 1956, serves the primary purpose of irrigation and has a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. The dam, classified as an earth dam with stone core and soil foundation, stands at a height of 16 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14 feet. With a surface area of 8 acres and a maximum discharge of 691 cubic feet per second, Stell Lake plays a crucial role in water management and agricultural activities in the region.
Despite being assessed as having a low hazard potential and fair condition, Stell Lake is considered to have a high risk level, indicating potential vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. The dam does not have a spillway and relies on slide gates for water release, with inspections conducted every 6 years to ensure its structural integrity. The surrounding area is at risk of inundation in case of a breach, highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management and emergency preparedness measures. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, the maintenance and monitoring of Stell Lake are essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region.
With its crucial role in irrigation and water supply, Stell Lake serves as a vital resource for the community and agriculture in Delta County, Colorado. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this reservoir provides a reliable source of water for farming and other activities in the area. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the sustainable management of Stell Lake is essential for ensuring the long-term resilience of the region's water resources. By staying vigilant in monitoring and maintaining this infrastructure, stakeholders can mitigate risks and adapt to changing environmental conditions, safeguarding the future of water security in the area.
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 Stell Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 20 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 34 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 39 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 497 cfs | → |
| E Fork Terror Cr Blw Cottonwood Stomp Nr Bowie | 0 cfs | → |
| North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stell Lake.
Boat launches
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
- Big Creek Reservoir Boat Launch Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 121 Mesa County
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Z Road Delta County
Campgrounds
- Eggleston
- Crag Crest Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Big Creek
- Big Creek Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Kiser Creek
- Collbran - Cottonwood Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- Deep Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Bogan Canyon
More reservoirs
Track Stell 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 Stell Lake
Where does the data for Stell 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 Stell Lake.