W. Cherry Creek Det. #11 dam
W. Cherry Creek Det. #11
W. Cherry Creek Detention #11 is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Franktown, Douglas County, Colorado. Built in 1961 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and has a hydraulic height of 36 feet, with a structural height of 40 feet. With a storage capacity of 418 acre-feet and a drainage area of 6 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks along the West Cherry Creek-TR river.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, W. Cherry Creek Detention #11 is rated as having a fair condition assessment as of September 2020. The dam has a spillway width of 400 feet, with a maximum discharge capacity of 6220 cubic feet per second. The structure underwent its last inspection in September 2020 and is subject to regular state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the Colorado Department of Water Resources.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and engineering details of W. Cherry Creek Detention #11, which continues to serve its primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the region. Its strategic location and design contribute to the overall water management and safety measures in the area, showcasing the importance of effective infrastructure in safeguarding against natural disasters.
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 W. Cherry Creek Det. #11 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek Near Franktown | 6 cfs | → |
| Monument Creek At Palmer Lake | 1 cfs | → |
| Monument C Ab N.Gate Blvd At Usaf Academy | 9 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
| East Plum Cr Blw Haskins Gulch Nr Castle Rock | 25 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Woodmen Rd Nr Colo Springs | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near W. Cherry Creek Det. #11.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Monument Lake (El Paso County)
- Palmer Lake
- Upper Reservoir - Palmer Lake
- Deadmans Creek
- Bingham Lake-Pinery Reservoir
- Pinery Reservoir
Track W. Cherry Creek Det. #11 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 W. Cherry Creek Det. #11
Where does the data for W. Cherry Creek Det. #11 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 W. Cherry Creek Det. #11.