Porter #1 dam
Porter #1
Located in Delta, Colorado, Porter #1, also known as Big Davies, is a crucial water resource structure owned by the local government. This earth dam, completed in 1955, serves primarily for water supply purposes including irrigation. With a dam height of 31 feet and a storage capacity of 276 acre-feet, Porter #1 plays a significant role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite being categorized as low hazard potential with fair condition assessment, Porter #1 poses high risks, prompting the need for regular inspections and risk management measures. The dam, situated on Oak Creek, has a spillway width of 30 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 849 cubic feet per second. The structure, constructed with stone core and rock-soil foundations, has a structural height of 33 feet and a length of 520 feet, providing essential water storage and management capabilities for the area.
In the event of emergencies, the structure lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and updated contact information, underscoring the importance of preparedness and risk assessment. As a vital water supply asset in Colorado, Porter #1 warrants continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its reliability and safety for both water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Porter #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 33 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 631 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Delta | 135 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 34 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 170 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Porter #1.
Boat launches
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Z Road Delta County
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Escalante Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Spruce Grove Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Spruce Grove - Mesa
- Black Bear Cabin
- Moose Manor Cabin
- Island Lake
- Island Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
Fishing spots
- Porter Reservoir #1
- Porter Reservoir #4 (Little Davies)
- Carson Lake
- Lost Lake (Grand Mesa
- South Mesa Lake
- Mesa Lake
Track Porter #1 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 Porter #1
Where does the data for Porter #1 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 Porter #1.