Leggett & Hillcrest dam
Leggett & Hillcrest
Leggett & Hillcrest is a private dam structure located in Boulder, Colorado, along the South Boulder Creek. Built in 1917, this earth dam stands at 28 feet high and spans a length of 2460 feet, with a storage capacity of 15,950 acre-feet. The dam primarily serves the purpose of water supply for irrigation and other domestic purposes in the region, with a normal storage capacity of 11,234 acre-feet.
The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, but its condition assessment as of November 2020 is satisfactory. Despite being state-regulated and permitted, with inspections and enforcement in place, the risk assessment for potential emergencies is rated as moderate. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 108 feet, and the maximum discharge capacity is reported at 6,752 cubic feet per second. With a risk management plan in place, Leggett & Hillcrest remains a crucial infrastructure for water resource management in the area, amidst growing concerns of climate change impacts on water availability and security.
Being a significant structure in the region, Leggett & Hillcrest plays a vital role in ensuring water supply for irrigation and domestic needs. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities and risks associated with such infrastructure is crucial for sustainable water management practices. With proper maintenance, monitoring, and emergency preparedness, Leggett & Hillcrest continues to serve its purpose effectively, contributing to the overall water security of the Boulder, Colorado area.
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 Leggett & Hillcrest -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder | 90 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 5 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Orodell | 100 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 57 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 3 cfs | → |
| Coal Creek Near Plainview | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leggett & Hillcrest.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Brighton
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Koa Lake
- Sawhill Ponds #10
- Sawhill Ponds #8
- Cottonwood Lake (Pearl Parkway Boulder)
- Sawhill Ponds #2
- Sawhill Ponds #3
Track Leggett & Hillcrest 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 Leggett & Hillcrest
Where does the data for Leggett & Hillcrest 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 Leggett & Hillcrest.