Ward Lake dam
Ward Lake
Ward Lake, also known as Reservoir #12 or Deep Ward, is a privately owned reservoir located in Cedaredge, Colorado. This reservoir, completed in 1958, serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 2,200 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 1,710 acre-feet. Ward Lake also offers recreational opportunities and covers a surface area of 83 acres, making it a serene destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Situated on Ward Creek in Delta County, Ward Lake's dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a hydraulic height of 31 feet. The high hazard potential of the dam is closely monitored, with regular inspections and enforcement conducted by the Colorado Department of Water Resources. The reservoir features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates for water release, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure. Despite being rated in fair condition, Ward Lake continues to be a vital resource for irrigation and recreation in the region, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty and strategic water management practices.
With its strategic location and vital role in water resource management, Ward Lake stands as a significant landmark in Colorado. As a privately owned reservoir with a rich history dating back to the 1950s, Ward Lake serves as a prime example of sustainable water use for irrigation and recreation. Its moderate risk assessment and fair condition underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and longevity of this valuable water resource. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ward Lake offers a compelling blend of history, functionality, and natural beauty worth exploring and appreciating.
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 Ward Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 4 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 49 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 23 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 20 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 193 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 651 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ward Lake.
Boat launches
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Z Road Delta County
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
Campgrounds
- Ward Lake
- Ward Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Cobbett Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Carp Lake
- Little Bear Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Island Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
Fishing spots
- Ward Lake
- Deep Slough Reservoir
- Cobbett (Carp) Lake
- Island Lake (Grand Mesa)
- Little Gem Reservoir
- Alexander Lake
Paddle runs
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Roubideau Creek Segment 1
- Deep Creek
More reservoirs
Track Ward Lake 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 Ward Lake
Where does the data for Ward Lake 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 Ward Lake.