Prince No. 1 dam
Prince No. 1
Prince No. 1 is a historic dam located in Erie, Colorado, completed in 1879 for the primary purpose of water supply. The dam, which stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 2000 feet in length, holds a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 80 acre-feet. Situated on a tributary of Boulder Creek, the dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring that it meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement standards.
Despite its age, Prince No. 1 has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition with a low hazard potential. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 3 feet, and has a moderate risk assessment rating. While it has not undergone recent modifications, the dam is subject to regular inspections every six years to maintain its structural integrity and safety standards. This historical structure serves as a vital component of the local water infrastructure, contributing to the conservation and management of water resources in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the rich history and functional significance of Prince No. 1, a key water supply infrastructure in Boulder County, Colorado. With its tranquil setting and vital role in water management, this dam exemplifies the intersection of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. As efforts continue to preserve and maintain this important structure, Prince No. 1 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of water resource management in the region.
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 Prince No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder | 53 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 1 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 4 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
| St Vrain Cr Blw Boulder Cr At Hwy 119 Nr Longmont | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prince No. 1.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Brighton
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Erie Lake
- Waneka Lake
- Thomas Reservoir
- Teller Lake No. 5
- Teller Lake No. 3
- Louisville (Warembourg) Fishing Pond
Track Prince No. 1 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 Prince No. 1
Where does the data for Prince No. 1 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 Prince No. 1.