Lake Isabel dam
Lake Isabel
Lake Isabel, located in Pueblo, Colorado, is a picturesque reservoir managed by the USDA Forest Service for recreational purposes. Completed in 1937, this earth dam stands at a height of 98 feet and has a storage capacity of 1,320 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1,037 acre-feet. The reservoir spans 35 acres and is fed by the St. Charles River, with a maximum discharge capacity of 3,550 cubic feet per second.
With its uncontrolled spillway and high hazard potential, Lake Isabel presents a moderate risk level, although its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Rated." The reservoir undergoes regular inspections by the Forest Service, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. Despite its risk level, Lake Isabel remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities such as fishing, camping, and hiking in the tranquil surroundings of the Rocky Mountains. Its strategic location and scenic beauty make it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Lake Isabel -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huerfano River At Badito | 8 cfs | → |
| Huerfano R At Manzanares Xing | 12 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Above Pueblo | 70 cfs | → |
| Grape Creek Near Westcliffe | 8 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Portland | 144 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Moffat Street At Pueblo | 87 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Isabel.
⛺ Campgrounds
- Lake Isabel Cabin
- Southside - Lake Isabel
- Southside Campground
- La Vista - Lake Isabel
- La Vista Campground
- St. Charles
🎣 Fishing spots
- Lake Isabel
- Lake Beckwith
- Huerfano State Wildlife Area
- Manzanares Creek
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Valco Ponds (North Gateway Park)
🛶 Paddle runs
- Headwaters At Medano Lake To Ends On The Sand Sheet Past The Southern End Of The Dunes
- Headwaters To Confluence With Medano Creek
- Grape Creek Segment 2
- Headwaters To Confluence With Sand Creek
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Lake Isabel 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 Lake Isabel
Where does the data for Lake Isabel 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 Lake Isabel.