Spectacle dam
Spectacle
Spectacle, a federal-owned structure located in San Miguel, Colorado, serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond with additional purposes including recreation and water supply. Built in 1940, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 333 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Spectacle poses a high risk due to its location and potential impact on the surrounding area.
Managed by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in Colorado, Spectacle undergoes regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its integrity and safety. The dam, situated on Basin Creek (also known as Dry Creek), plays a crucial role in supporting local wildlife and recreational activities, while also contributing to water supply needs in the region. With its unique design and historical significance, Spectacle stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the state.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the captivating history and features of Spectacle offer a glimpse into the intricate balance between human development and environmental conservation. Its strategic location, multiple purposes, and ongoing risk management measures underscore the importance of proactive stewardship in safeguarding our water resources for future generations. Spectacle serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water infrastructure, natural ecosystems, and community well-being in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Spectacle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dolores River Near Slick Rock | 10 cfs | → |
| Dolores River At Bedrock | 7 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River At Brooks Bridge Near Nucla Co | 157 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River At Uravan | 225 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Bedrock | 2 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River Near Placerville | 259 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spectacle.
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp - Aggregate - 20' X 65'
- Bedrock
- Ledges Cottonwood
- Ledges Rockhouse
- Boat Ramp - Aggregate
- Mountain Sheep Point Rec Site
Campgrounds
- Camping - Single
- Free Campground (The Ball Park)
- Dolores River Camp 1
- Dolores River Camp 2
- Dolores River Camp 3
- 3 Step Hideaway
Fishing spots
- Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble Swa)
- Buckeye Reservoir
- Twin Lakes Reservoir
- Medicine Lake
- Groundhog Reservoir
- Blue Lake - La Sals
Track Spectacle 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 Spectacle
Where does the data for Spectacle 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 Spectacle.