Beckwith dam
Beckwith
Beckwith, also known as Hayden, is a significant water resource located in Pueblo, Colorado, owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Water Resources. This irrigation dam, designed by the USDA NRCS in 1911, serves multiple purposes including irrigation, recreation, and water supply. With a dam height of 55 feet and a storage capacity of 2144 acre-feet, Beckwith plays a crucial role in managing the water resources of the region.
The dam's structural integrity is rated as fair, with a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. Despite its age, Beckwith has undergone regular inspections and meets state regulatory guidelines for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's spillway, although uncontrolled, has a width of 30 feet to manage potential excess water flow. With its location on Greenhorn Creek-OS and proximity to COLORADO CITY, Beckwith remains a vital component of the local water infrastructure, ensuring sustainable water management for the community.
In the face of increasing climate variability and water resource challenges, Beckwith stands as a testament to the importance of effective dam management and maintenance. As climate change continues to impact water availability in the region, the proper regulation and upkeep of dams like Beckwith will be essential in ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources for irrigation, recreation, and water supply in Pueblo, Colorado.
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 Beckwith -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huerfano River At Badito | 12 cfs | → |
| Huerfano R Bl Huerf Valy Dam Nr Undercliffe | 0 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Above Pueblo | 70 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Moffat Street At Pueblo | 75 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Tributary Above Hwy 227 At Pueblo | 33 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek At Pueblo | 124 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beckwith.
Campgrounds
- Greenhorn Meadows Park
- Camp Joseph
- Lake Isabel Cabin
- Southside - Lake Isabel
- Southside Campground
- La Vista - Lake Isabel
Fishing spots
- Lake Beckwith
- Lake Isabel
- Huerfano State Wildlife Area
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Horseshoe Reservoir (Lathrop Sp)
- Martin Lake
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With Medano Creek
- Headwaters At Medano Lake To Ends On The Sand Sheet Past The Southern End Of The Dunes
- Grape Creek Segment 2
More reservoirs
Track Beckwith 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 Beckwith
Where does the data for Beckwith 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 Beckwith.