Western Hillside Reservoir dam
Western Hillside Reservoir
The Western Hillside Reservoir, also known as Trappers Reservoir, is a privately owned water storage facility located in Avon, Colorado. Completed in 1997, this earth dam stands at a height of 46 feet and has a storage capacity of 154 acre-feet. Situated along the Bachelor Gulch-OS river, the reservoir serves as a critical water source for the surrounding area, with a normal storage level of 124 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 224 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, the Western Hillside Reservoir is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's spillway, of uncontrolled type, is 16 feet wide and designed to handle high hazard potential. With a satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2020, the reservoir poses a moderate risk level, prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures and emergency preparedness.
Despite its relatively small surface area of 5 acres, the Western Hillside Reservoir plays a crucial role in water resource management for the Eagle County region. With its strategic location in the hillside terrain, the reservoir serves as a vital storage and distribution point in the local water infrastructure system. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate sustainability will find the design and operational details of this reservoir fascinating, highlighting the intricate balance between water supply, dam safety, and environmental stewardship in the Western United States.
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 Western Hillside Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek At Avon | 12 cfs | → |
| Eagle R Bl Wastewater Treatment Plant At Avon | 546 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Edwards | 116 cfs | → |
| Gore Creek At Mouth | 248 cfs | → |
| Cross Creek Near Minturn | 134 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Near Minturn | 112 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Western Hillside Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Wolcott Boat Ramp
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- State Bridge River Access
- State Bridge Boat Ramp
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Nottingham Lake
- Kiln Creek
- Sylvan Lake
- Upper Cataract Lake
- Camp Hale Pond Fishing Pier
- Homestake Reservoir
Track Western Hillside Reservoir 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 Western Hillside Reservoir
Where does the data for Western Hillside Reservoir 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 Western Hillside Reservoir.