Meadow Creek dam
Meadow Creek
Meadow Creek, also known as Meadow Lake, is a state-owned water resource located in Garfield County, Colorado. Built in 1958 and designed by Damon Runyun, this recreational dam stands at a height of 61 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 1389 acre-feet. With a surface area of 55 acres and a drainage area of 2 square miles, Meadow Creek is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Meadow Creek has a spillway width of 32 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type. Despite being rated as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently fair, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. With its stunning location in the scenic landscape of New Castle, Colorado, Meadow Creek provides both recreational opportunities and a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Meadow Creek's significant role in providing recreational opportunities while also serving as an essential water storage facility. With its unique design and location, this state-regulated dam offers a glimpse into Colorado's commitment to managing and maintaining its water resources. From fishing to boating, Meadow Creek is a valuable asset to the community and a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in a changing climate.
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 Meadow Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 803 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 518 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 2,770 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 1,180 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 613 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Meadow Creek.
Boat launches
- New Castle
- I 70 Garfield County
- South Canyon Boat Ramp
- Grizzly Creek Garfield County
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Meadow Ridge Campground
- Meadow Lake
- Meadow Lake Campground
- South Fork Campground & Trailhead
- Three Forks
- Rifle Mountain Park
Fishing spots
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Lake Avery
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
- Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
- Riverbend (Tibbet's) To New Castle
- New Castle To Silt
More reservoirs
Track Meadow Creek 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 Meadow Creek
Where does the data for Meadow Creek 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 Meadow Creek.