Dillon dam
Dillon
Dillon Dam, located in Silverthorne, Colorado, is a vital water supply structure on the Blue River. Constructed in 1963, this Earth dam stands at a height of 310 feet and has a storage capacity of 305,000 acre-feet, serving the dual purposes of water supply and recreation. With a surface area of 3,300 acres and a drainage area of 338 square miles, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Summit County.
The dam has undergone modifications in 1986 and 2002 to enhance its hydraulic and mechanical systems. It features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 15 feet and is equipped with slide and valve outlet gates. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition is rated as satisfactory, with regular inspections and a comprehensive emergency action plan in place. Managed by public utility agencies, Dillon Dam is a key infrastructure ensuring water security in the region.
Dillon Dam's strategic location and design make it a significant asset for water resource management in Colorado. The dam's role in regulating the flow of the Blue River and providing a reliable water supply underscores its importance for the surrounding communities. With a focus on safety and efficiency, Dillon Dam stands as a testament to successful water infrastructure development and management 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 Dillon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blue River Below Dillon | 54 cfs | → |
| Straight Cr Blw Laskey Gulch Nr Dillon | 17 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near Dillon | 72 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Bl North Tenmile C | 102 cfs | → |
| Keystone Gulch Near Dillon | 7 cfs | → |
| Snake River Near Montezuma | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dillon.
Boat launches
- Co 9 Summit County
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Turquoise Lake Trail Lake County
- Matchless Boating Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Dillon Reservoir
- Giberson Bay Day Use Fishing Site
- Officers Gulch Pond
- Curtain Ponds
- Black Lakes (Vail)
- Hassell Lake
Paddle runs
- Silverthorne Town Run
- Lower Ten Mile
- Lower Snake
- Middle Ten Mile
- Upper Ten Mile
- Upper Blue (Blue River Cg To Columbine Landing)
More reservoirs
Track Dillon 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 Dillon
Where does the data for Dillon 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 Dillon.