Rito Hondo dam
Rito Hondo
Rito Hondo, located in Hinsdale, Colorado, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1956 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 44 feet and a storage capacity of 766 acre-feet, this dam on the Rito Hondo stream offers a serene fish and wildlife pond spanning 41 acres. Despite its critical role in providing recreation opportunities, the dam's condition assessment is currently categorized as unsatisfactory, with a high hazard potential.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a spillway width of 35 feet, and is equipped with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam is inspected annually to ensure compliance with state regulations. However, the last inspection in August 2020 revealed an unsatisfactory condition, highlighting the need for ongoing risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards associated with this recreational water resource in South Fork, Colorado.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it's crucial to monitor and advocate for the maintenance and safety of structures like Rito Hondo to ensure their continued functionality and protection of surrounding communities. By staying informed about the condition and management of dams like Rito Hondo, we can contribute to the preservation of these vital water resources for both recreational enjoyment and environmental conservation.
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 Rito Hondo -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 9 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 141 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 510 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 819 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 105 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 174 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rito Hondo.
Boat launches
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Devil's Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Rito Hondo
- North Clear Creek
- Silver Thread Campground
- North Clear Creek Campground
- Silver Thread
- Bristol Head Campground
Fishing spots
- Rito Hondo Reservoir
- Continental Reservoir Fishing Site
- Continental Reservoir
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Lake San Cristobal
- Road Canyon Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
Track Rito Hondo 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 Rito Hondo
Where does the data for Rito Hondo 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 Rito Hondo.