Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) dam
Spruce Lake #1 (Upper)
Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) in Colorado, nestled in Mineral County, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1926 for irrigation purposes along the South Fork Rio Grande. With a height of 19 feet and a storage capacity of 166 acre-feet, this structure serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area. The dam's condition is assessed as fair, with a low hazard potential, making it a reliable asset for water storage and management.
Despite its age, Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) continues to play a crucial role in sustaining fish and wildlife populations in the region. With a surface area of 10 acres and a normal storage capacity of 111 acre-feet, this reservoir supports a variety of ecological habitats. The dam's inspection frequency of every 6 years ensures that it is well-maintained and in compliance with regulatory standards, underscoring its importance in maintaining water resources and environmental balance.
While the risk assessment for Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) indicates a high potential for adverse events, the dam's low hazard level and fair condition suggest that it remains a reliable and safe structure. With a dedicated agency overseeing its operation, inspection, and enforcement, this earth dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management in Colorado. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of environmental conservation and infrastructure development.
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 Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork San Juan River Nr Pagosa Springs | -888 cfs | → |
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 519 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 15 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 105 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 1,220 cfs | → |
| San Juan River At Pagosa Springs | 804 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spruce Lake #1 (Upper).
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Big Meadows Campground And Picnic Area
- Big Meadows
- Wolf Creek
- West Fork
- West Fork Campground
- Tucker Ponds
Fishing spots
- Big Meadows Reservoir
- Shaw Lake
- Pass Creek Lake Fishing Site
- Tucker Ponds Fishing Site
- Alberta Park Reservoir
- Poage Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Headwaters (Sec 21, T38n, R1e) To 1/4 Mile Above Big Meadows Reservoir
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
- Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
- Ef/Middle Fork At Weminuche Wilderness Boundary To Forest Development Road 631
Track Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) 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 Spruce Lake #1 (Upper)
Where does the data for Spruce Lake #1 (Upper) 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 Spruce Lake #1 (Upper).