Vancil dam
Vancil
Vancil, also known as the Cecil J. Osborne Dam, is a privately-owned structure located in Snyder, Colorado along the South Platte-OS River. Completed in 1990, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet with a hydraulic height of 53 feet and a structural height of 46 feet. It serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 9100 acre-feet and a surface area of 306 acres.
This dam, regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, has been assessed to have a significant hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in May 2019. Despite its high risk assessment, the dam meets regulatory guidelines and is inspected every two years to ensure its safety and effectiveness in water resource management. With no spillway type noted, Vancil plays a crucial role in the local irrigation system and contributes to the water infrastructure in Morgan County, Colorado.
Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate impact can appreciate Vancil as a vital structure in the region's water supply network. Its presence along the South Platte-OS River highlights the importance of efficient irrigation systems in agricultural areas. Monitoring its condition and risk assessment is crucial for sustainable water management practices, especially in a state like Colorado that faces various climate challenges. Vancil stands as a testament to the intersection of human infrastructure with natural resources, embodying the delicate balance required for effective water resource management in a changing climate.
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 Vancil -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River At Cooper Bridge | 181 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Fort Morgan | 184 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Weldona | 223 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Masters | 426 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Kersey | 307 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River Near Greeley | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vancil.
Track Vancil 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 Vancil
Where does the data for Vancil 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 Vancil.