Wahatoya Lake dam
Wahatoya Lake
Wahatoya Lake in Colorado is a picturesque water resource managed by the local government for water supply purposes. Built in 1901, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a storage capacity of 405 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 25 acres and is fed by Wahatoya Creek, offering a serene setting for fish and wildlife habitats, recreation, and water supply.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Wahatoya Lake remains a popular destination for water and climate enthusiasts. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the lake's uncontrolled spillway and 83 max discharge rate add to its dynamic appeal. The surrounding Huerfano County landscape in La Veta provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities, making Wahatoya Lake a must-visit spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature and water conservation efforts.
As one of Colorado's regulated water resources, Wahatoya Lake is subject to state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. With a history dating back over a century, this local government-managed reservoir continues to serve as a vital source of water supply while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy. Whether for fishing, wildlife observation, or simply admiring the natural beauty of the area, Wahatoya Lake provides a unique and enriching experience for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Wahatoya Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cucharas River At Boyd Ranch | 5 cfs | → |
| Huerfano River At Badito | 14 cfs | → |
| Trinchera C Ab Turners Ranch | 6 cfs | → |
| Trinchera C Ab Mtn Home Re | 3 cfs | → |
| Sangre De Cristo Creek Near Fort Garland | 2 cfs | → |
| Ute Creek Near Fort Garland | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wahatoya Lake.
Campgrounds
- Yucca - Lathrop State Park
- Cordova Pass Picnic Area And Campground
- Pinon - Lathrop State Park
- Bear Lake
- Blue Lake
- Purgatoire Campground
Fishing spots
- Wahatoya Lake Reservoir
- Daigre And Wahatoya Lake
- Horseshoe Reservoir (Lathrop Sp)
- Martin Lake
- North Lake
- Huerfano State Wildlife Area
Track Wahatoya 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 Wahatoya Lake
Where does the data for Wahatoya 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 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 Wahatoya Lake.