Palmer Lake #2 dam
Palmer Lake #2
Palmer Lake #2, also known as Glen Park, is a concrete dam located in El Paso County, Colorado, with a fascinating history dating back to its completion in 1904 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. This local government-owned structure serves multiple purposes, including water supply, fish and wildlife pond, and recreation, making it a vital resource for the community. With a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet and a normal storage of 144 acre-feet, Palmer Lake #2 plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
This impressive dam stands at a height of 44 feet, with a hydraulic height of 42 feet and a structural height of 50 feet, overlooking the N. Monument Creek. Its uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 17 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 500 cubic feet per second. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in July 2020. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Palmer Lake #2 remains a key asset for water supply and conservation efforts in Colorado.
In addition to its functional importance, Palmer Lake #2 also offers recreational opportunities and contributes to the conservation of fish and wildlife in the area. The dam's historical significance, combined with its modern regulatory compliance and operational efficiency, makes it a valuable asset for water resource management and climate resilience in the region. As climate change impacts water availability and quality, structures like Palmer Lake #2 play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 Palmer Lake #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Monument Creek At Palmer Lake | 1 cfs | → |
| Monument C Ab N.Gate Blvd At Usaf Academy | 7 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek Below Rampart Reservoir | 4 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek At Air Force Academy | 3 cfs | → |
| Trout Creek Blw Fern Cr Nr Westcreek | 1 cfs | → |
| West Cr. Abv Shrewsbury Gulch Nr Westcreek Co | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Palmer Lake #2.
Fishing spots
- Upper Reservoir - Palmer Lake
- Palmer Lake
- Monument Lake (El Paso County)
- Manitou Lake
- Deadmans Creek
- Rampart Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Cheeseman Dam To Wigman Club
- Private Land To Confluence With Beaver Creek
- Beaver Creek To Cheeseman Reservoir
- Cliffdale To Confluence With South Platte
- Wigman Club To Strontia Reservoir
- Eleven Mile Canyon Dam To Private Land In Vicinity Of Lake George
More reservoirs
Track Palmer Lake #2 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 Palmer Lake #2
Where does the data for Palmer Lake #2 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 Palmer Lake #2.