Clear Lake dam
Clear Lake
Clear Lake in Colorado is a public utility-owned reservoir situated in the Clear Creek County near Georgetown. Built in 1908, this Earth-type dam serves the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, with a storage capacity of 1,100 acre-feet and a surface area of 26.1 acres. The dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a length of 150 feet, containing a spillway width of 23 feet for uncontrolled water discharge.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Clear Lake not only supports hydroelectricity but also offers recreational opportunities. The reservoir is located on the South Clear Creek and plays a vital role in water resource management in the region. Despite its significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness.
In addition to its functional role in power generation and water management, Clear Lake represents a crucial aspect of Colorado's environmental and climatic landscape. As a hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts, it serves as a case study in sustainable infrastructure development and the intersection of human activities with natural ecosystems. By understanding and appreciating the complexities of Clear Lake, stakeholders can work towards ensuring the continued safety and effectiveness of this essential water resource infrastructure.
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 Clear Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| S Clear Cr Abv Lwr Cabin Cr Res Spilwy Nr Georgtwn | 6 cfs | → |
| Leavenworth Creek @ Mouth Nr Georgetown | 17 cfs | → |
| South Clear Creek Abv Lower Cabin Creek Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Abv West Fork Clear Creek Nr Empire Co | 105 cfs | → |
| West Fork Clear Creek Abv Mouth Nr Empire | 101 cfs | → |
| Chicago Creek Blw Devils Canyon Nr Idaho Sprgs Co | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clear Lake .
Boat launches
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- Co 9 Summit County
Campgrounds
- Clear Lake
- West Chicago Creek Campground
- West Chicago Creek
- Guanella Pass
- Guanella Pass Campground
- Georgetown Lake
Fishing spots
Track Clear 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 Clear Lake
Where does the data for Clear 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 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 Clear Lake .