Teller dam
Teller
Teller is a Federal-owned dam located in Pueblo, Colorado, along the Turkey Creek. Completed in 1908, this Earth-type structure stands at a height of 85 feet and has a length of 650 feet, providing a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 78 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock, flood risk reduction, and recreation, making it a vital asset for the surrounding community.
Managed by the US Army, Teller Dam has a high hazard potential and is regulated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in Colorado. Despite its age, the dam is regularly inspected every four years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's spillway, with a width of 70 feet, is uncontrolled, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 85,000 cubic feet per second, further highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and oversight for this critical water resource.
With its rich history and significant impact on water management in the region, Teller Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and ecosystems. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Teller Dam to be a fascinating example of how human engineering can both harness and protect vital water resources in a changing climate landscape.
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 Teller -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Teller Reservoir Spillway Near Stone City | · | → |
| Turkey Creek Nr Stone City | 0 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Ab Teller Res Near Stone City | 0 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Above Highway 115 Near Penrose | · | → |
| Arkansas River At Portland | 269 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Fountain Colo | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Teller.
Campgrounds
- Kettle Creek Campground
- Northern Plains - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Turkey Creek Military - Fort Carson
- Eagle View Campground
- Yucca Flat Campground
- Juniper Breaks - Lake Pueblo State Park
Fishing spots
- Teller Reservoir
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Valco Ponds (North Gateway Park)
- Lake Minnequa
- Willow Springs Ponds
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Teller 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 Teller
Where does the data for Teller 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 Teller.