Lester Creek dam
Lester Creek
Lester Creek, also known as Pearl Lake, is a recreational dam located in Routt County, Colorado. Completed in 1962, this earth dam stands at a height of 91 feet and has a hydraulic height of 88 feet, providing a storage capacity of 6739 acre-feet. With a surface area of 166 acres and a drainage area of 4 square miles, Lester Creek offers a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Lester Creek is a state-regulated dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition, as assessed during the last inspection in September 2020. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and a slide gate outlet, ensuring proper water flow regulation and safety measures for visitors.
With its picturesque setting and moderate risk assessment, Lester Creek provides an ideal spot for outdoor activities and nature enthusiasts. Whether for boating, fishing, or wildlife observation, this dam on Lester Creek offers a tranquil escape in the heart of Colorado's stunning landscape, making it a must-visit destination for those passionate about water resources and climate conservation.
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 Lester Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr | 355 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Milner | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Little Snake River Near Slater | 501 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 893 cfs | → |
| Fish Cr At Upper Sta Nr Steamboat Springs | 203 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 138 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lester Creek.
Boat launches
- Tombstone Nature Trail Routt County
- Teal Lake Boating Site
- Us 40 Routt County
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Dock
Campgrounds
- Pearl Lake State Park
- Hans Peak
- Hinman Park
- Hinman Park Campground
- Steamboat Lake State Park
- Seedhouse Guard Station
Fishing spots
- Pearl Lake
- Steamboat Lake
- Big Creek Lake(Upper)
- Hog Park Reservoir
- Big Creek Lake(Lower)
- Big Creek Lakes Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
- Roaring Fork (West Section Line Sec 28 T9n, R82w); Red Canyon (Nw1/4 Sec 5, T8n, R82w) To East Section Line Sec 34, T9n, R82w
- Wy-Co State Line To Encampment River Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters (Continental Divide) And Its West Fork (From West Fork Lake) To North Section Line, Sec 21, T12n, R84w
- Encampment River Wilderness Boundary To Medicine Bow Nf Boundary
- Lower Fish Creek
More reservoirs
Track Lester Creek 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 Lester Creek
Where does the data for Lester Creek 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 Lester Creek.