Yamcolo dam
Yamcolo
Yamcolo Reservoir, located in Garfield County, Colorado, is a vital water resource managed by a public utility for irrigation and water supply purposes. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1980, stands at a height of 97 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 12,140 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 9,621 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 188 acres, Yamcolo Reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector in the region.
The dam on the Bear River has a high hazard potential, but its condition is assessed as fair, with the last inspection conducted in June 2020. The spillway width is 18 feet, and the maximum discharge capacity is 3,984 cubic feet per second. Despite being a relatively small reservoir with a drainage area of 28 square miles, Yamcolo is a key component of the local water infrastructure, providing essential resources for the community in Yampa and beyond. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Yamcolo an intriguing example of water management in the Western United States.
With its moderate risk assessment, Yamcolo Reservoir demonstrates the importance of ongoing risk management and emergency preparedness. While the dam has not undergone major modifications in recent years, its role in water storage and supply highlights the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term sustainability. As a regulated facility under the oversight of the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Yamcolo serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between water resource development and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Yamcolo -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 8 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 347 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 526 cfs | → |
| Piney River Near State Bridge | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yamcolo.
Boat launches
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Pinball Access Boat Ramp
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Bear Lake Campground
- Bear River Developed Camp Sites
- Horseshoe Campground
- Sheriffs Reservoir
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Crosho Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Crosho Lake
- Trappers Lake
- Lake Of The Woods
- Stagecoach Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Burns To Dotsero
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- State Bridge To Two Bridges
- Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
- Colorado River Segment 6
- State Bridge To Burns
More reservoirs
Track Yamcolo 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 Yamcolo
Where does the data for Yamcolo 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 Yamcolo.