Wilson dam
Wilson
Wilson is a privately owned dam located in Rio Blanco, Colorado, specifically in the city of Rifle. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a length of 450 feet, providing a storage capacity of 148 acre-feet. The primary purposes of the dam are for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond, with additional irrigation capabilities.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR), Wilson is regulated and inspected by the state, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam poses a moderate risk, prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 40 feet, and a maximum discharge of 15 cubic feet per second, serving the East Fork Flag Creek.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Wilson to be an interesting case study in dam infrastructure management in Colorado. Its location, design, and purpose showcase the intersection of water resource management for various needs, from fire protection to irrigation. With state regulation, regular inspections, and risk assessments in place, Wilson serves as a valuable asset in the local water management system, balancing water storage and safety considerations.
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 Wilson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Above Coal Creek | 272 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 321 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 593 cfs | → |
| White River Below Meeker | 332 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek At White River | 1 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek Bl Ryan Gulch | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson.
Campgrounds
- Meeker City Park
- Three Forks
- Rifle Mountain County Park
- Rifle Mountain Park
- South Fork Campground & Trailhead
- Meadow Lake
Fishing spots
- Lake Avery
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Rio Blanco Lake
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
Track Wilson 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 Wilson
Where does the data for Wilson 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 Low 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 Wilson.