Prospect Lake dam
Prospect Lake
Prospect Lake, situated in El Paso County, Colorado Springs, is a significant water resource managed by the local government for recreational and irrigation purposes. This earth dam, completed in 1954, stands at a height of 32 feet and spans 690 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 615 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 51 acres and is fed by the Fountain Creek-OS stream.
With a spillway width of 150 feet and a maximum discharge of 429 cubic feet per second, Prospect Lake is equipped to handle significant water flow and maintain its structural integrity. Despite being assessed as in fair condition, the dam has a hazard potential deemed significant, prompting inspections every two years to ensure its safety. While the risk assessment categorizes the lake as having a moderate risk level, measures for risk management and emergency preparedness are not explicitly outlined.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Prospect Lake to be a notable site in Colorado, where the dam's history and operational capacity offer valuable insights into water management practices. As a key recreational spot in the region, the lake serves both local residents and visitors while contributing to the irrigation needs of the surrounding area. Its strategic location and design, coupled with periodic inspections and maintenance, underscore the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climatic 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 Prospect Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fountain Creek At Colorado Springs | 41 cfs | → |
| Monument Cr At Bijou St. | 35 cfs | → |
| Fountain Cr Bl Janitell Rd Bl Colo. Springs | 58 cfs | → |
| Sand Creek Above Mouth At Colorado Springs | 3 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne Creek At Evans Ave At Colorado Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Colorado Springs | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prospect Lake.
Campgrounds
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park
- Wye
- Peregrine Pines Family Camp
- Peregrine Pines Military - Usaf Academy
- Thunder Ridge Campground
- Thunder Ridge
Fishing spots
- Prospect Lake (Colorado Springs)
- Quail Lake
- Pikeview Reservoir
- Willow Springs Ponds
- Rosemont Reservoir
- Mcreynolds Reservoir
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Prospect Lake 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 Prospect Lake
Where does the data for Prospect Lake 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 Prospect Lake.