Talbott Irrigation dam
Talbott Irrigation
Talbott Irrigation in Colorado is a historical marvel that has been serving the community since 1912. This privately-owned irrigation structure, designed by USDA NRCS, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and foresight of its creators. Located in Adams County, the dam on Big Dry Creek-OS provides essential water for irrigation and recreational purposes, covering a surface area of 5 acres with a storage capacity of 61 acre-feet.
With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Talbott Irrigation continues to be a reliable water resource in the region. The dam, standing at a height of 17 feet, reflects a blend of earth and structural components, ensuring efficient water management. Under the jurisdiction and regulation of the Colorado Department of Water Resources, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to maintain its integrity and safety for the surrounding community.
Despite its age, Talbott Irrigation remains a vital component of the local water infrastructure, offering a glimpse into the rich history of water management in Colorado. With a moderate risk assessment and a proactive approach to risk management, this irrigation structure underscores the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, we can appreciate the significance of Talbott Irrigation in ensuring the continued availability of water for agricultural and recreational needs 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 Talbott Irrigation -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 0 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Henderson | 167 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Mouth | 3 cfs | → |
| First Cr Ab 96th Ave | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte R At 64th Ave. Commerce City | 90 cfs | → |
| Little Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Talbott Irrigation.
Boat launches
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Brighton
- Adams County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
Campgrounds
- Standley Lake
- Tipi Village
- St. Vrain State Park
- Union Reservoir
- Boulder County Fairground
- Clear Creek Rv Park
Fishing spots
- Talbott Irrigation Reservoir
- Hunters Glen Lake
- Marshall Reservoir
- Webster Lake
- Mckay Lake
- Thornton Rec Ctr Lake (Carpenter)
Paddle runs
- Lower Boulder Canyon
- Golden Whitewater Park
- Tunnel 1 To Golden Whitewater Park
- Idledale To Morrison
- October Hole
- Upper South Boulder Creek
More reservoirs
Track Talbott Irrigation 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 Talbott Irrigation
Where does the data for Talbott Irrigation 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 Talbott Irrigation.