Troutvale #1 (Upper) dam
Troutvale #1 (Upper)
Troutvale #1 (Upper), also known as Upper Browns Lake, is a state-owned water resource located in Hinsdale, Colorado, specifically in the city of South Fork. Completed in 1911, this fish and wildlife pond serves as a crucial habitat for various species and is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. With a significant hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam stands at 12 feet in height and has a storage capacity of 660 acre-feet.
Situated along South Clear Creek, Troutvale #1 (Upper) covers a surface area of 121 acres and has a drainage area of 15 square miles. The dam boasts a spillway width of 136 feet and is equipped with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. With a maximum discharge capacity of 2077 cubic feet per second, this earth dam serves multiple purposes including recreation, making it a valuable asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Despite its age, Troutvale #1 (Upper) undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment completed in August 2020. Classified as a moderate risk structure, the dam has a risk assessment score of 3. With its historical significance dating back over a century and its essential role in supporting local wildlife and recreational activities, Troutvale #1 (Upper) remains a captivating site for those interested in water resource management and climate conservation efforts.
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 Troutvale #1 (Upper) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 949 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 147 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 131 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 262 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Troutvale #1 (Upper).
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Devil's Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Silver Thread Campground
- Silver Thread
- Bristol Head Campground
- Bristol Head
- Crooked Creek Dispersed Area
- North Clear Creek Campground
Fishing spots
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Continental Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
- Continental Reservoir Fishing Site
- Rito Hondo Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
Track Troutvale #1 (Upper) 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 Troutvale #1 (Upper)
Where does the data for Troutvale #1 (Upper) 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 Significant 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 Troutvale #1 (Upper).