Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam dam
Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam
Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam, also known as Lower Bauer, is a private dam located in Montezuma County, Colorado, specifically in the city of Mancos. Built in 1905 for irrigation purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a length of 1020 feet. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 2284 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 1532 acre-feet, and covers a surface area of 67 acres.
The dam is situated on Chicken Creek-TR and is under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Colorado Department of Water Resources. With a High hazard potential and a Satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in October 2020, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates for water release. Despite being a private structure, it plays a crucial role in irrigation and supports fish and wildlife ponds in the area.
As a vital part of the water resource infrastructure in the region, Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam not only serves its primary purpose of irrigation but also contributes to the conservation of fish and wildlife habitats. Its historical significance, coupled with its functionality and regulatory compliance, highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring this dam to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the sustainability of its water resources amidst 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 Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Canyon Creek Near Dolores | 0 cfs | → |
| Dolores River At Dolores | 513 cfs | → |
| La Plata River At Hesperus | 70 cfs | → |
| Mud Creek At State Highway 32 | 1 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Above Trail Canyon Near Cortez | 21 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Below Rico | 291 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Main - Mancos State Park
- West - Mancos State Park
- Ancient Cedar
- Target Tree
- Target Tree Campground
- Transfer Campground
Fishing spots
Track Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam 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 Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam
Where does the data for Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam 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 Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam.