Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18 dam
Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18
Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18, also known as Ververs North, is a flood risk reduction dam located in Elbert, Colorado. Built in 1959 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a structural height of 26 feet, with a length of 1466 feet. It serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction for the Big Sandy Creek-TR river or stream, providing a storage capacity of 254 acre-feet and a normal storage of 160 acre-feet.
Situated in a picturesque location in Simla, Colorado, this dam has a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition, as assessed in October 2020. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 142 feet and is under the jurisdiction of the DWR, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. With a moderate risk assessment rating, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the Big Sandy Creek watershed.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the strategic design and operational features of the Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18 dam, which is owned by the local government and regulated by state authorities. With a history dating back to the late 1950s, this dam continues to serve its intended purpose effectively, with a focus on flood risk reduction. Its location, structural specifications, and environmental impact make it a key component of water management in the region, ensuring the safety and well-being of nearby communities while maintaining a sustainable approach to water resource utilization.
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 Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek At Woodmen Rd Nr Colo Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Cherry Creek Near Franktown | 6 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Ck At Union Blvd | 2 cfs | → |
| Monument C Ab N.Gate Blvd At Usaf Academy | 9 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Mouth | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18.
Track Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18 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 Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18
Where does the data for Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18 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 Big Sandy Creek Watershed N-18.