La Jara - Dam No. 1 dam
La Jara - Dam No. 1
La Jara - Dam No. 1, also known as La Jara - Main Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Conejos County, Colorado, along the La Jara Creek. Completed in 1906, this earth dam stands at a height of 48 feet and has a hydraulic height of 48 feet, with a structural height of 54 feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife pond, irrigation, and recreation, with a primary focus on recreation.
With a storage capacity of 14,055 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,241 acres, La Jara - Dam No. 1 provides essential water resources for the surrounding area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 40 feet and two slide (sluice gate) outlet gates. Despite being assessed as in fair condition as of June 2019, the dam is categorized with a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management to ensure its safety and effectiveness in water resource management.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, La Jara - Dam No. 1 presents an intriguing case study of a historic state-owned dam in Colorado that plays a vital role in providing water for irrigation, fish and wildlife habitats, and recreational activities. The dam's location on the La Jara Creek and its significant storage capacity highlight its importance in water management within the region. Ongoing inspections and risk assessments are crucial to maintain the dam's integrity and safeguard against potential hazards, underscoring the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 La Jara - Dam No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 145 cfs | → |
| La Jara Creek At Gallegos Ranch | 4 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Terrace Reservoir | 181 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 243 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Wightman Fork Near Jasper | -999 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork At Mouth Near Jasper | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near La Jara - Dam No. 1.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- La Jara Reservoir
- Lost Lake
- Spectacle Lake Fishing Site
- La Manga Creek (Beaver Ponds)
- Kerr Lake Fishing Site
- Platoro Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
- South Fork--Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
- Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
- El Rito Azul--Blue Lake (Sec 26, T35n, R3e) And Portion Of Conejos Above Platoro Reservoir To Upper Reach Of Platoro Reservoir--Sec 6, T35n, R4e
- Middle Fork--Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks--Sec 14, T35n, R3e
- Sec 1, T33n, R3e To Confluence With East Fork--Sec 17, T33n, R4e
Track La Jara - Dam No. 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 La Jara - Dam No. 1
Where does the data for La Jara - Dam No. 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 Significant 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 La Jara - Dam No. 1.