Spring Gulch Dam dam
Spring Gulch Dam
Spring Gulch Dam, located in Douglas County, Colorado, is a Federal-owned earth dam constructed in 1973 by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for flood risk reduction along the Spring Gulch river. With a structural height of 68 feet and a hydraulic height of 35 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1,752 acre-feet and a spillway width of 200 feet. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment (3) and is equipped with an emergency action plan (EAP) prepared by USACE to address potential dam-related emergencies.
USACE actively manages the flood risks associated with Spring Gulch Dam by monitoring its condition, prioritizing maintenance activities, and collaborating with local emergency managers to develop emergency response plans. The agency regularly updates the EAP and conducts inspections to ensure the dam's structural integrity. While dams like Spring Gulch do not eliminate all flood risk, USACE works to mitigate potential issues and educate the public on the importance of being prepared for dam-related emergencies. The agency's risk management measures aim to maintain the dam's functionality and protect downstream communities from potential flooding events.
With a focus on continuous monitoring and risk reduction, USACE remains committed to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of Spring Gulch Dam. The agency's proactive approach to managing flood risks, coupled with its collaboration with local stakeholders, underscores its dedication to protecting water resources and enhancing climate resilience in the region.
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 Spring Gulch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Plum Creek At Titan Rd Nr Louviers | 7 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Waterton | 52 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek Blw C-470 At Highlands Ranch | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Below Union Ave | 21 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mouth | 8 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Sedalia | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Gulch Dam.
Boat launches
- Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
Campgrounds
- Chatfield State Park
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Idylease Campground
- Indian Creek
- Chief Ouray Group Site
- Cherokee Group Site
Fishing spots
- Redstone Park Pond
- Chatfield Lake
- South Platte Park Ponds (Littleton Flood Plain Ponds)
- Chatfield Reservoir
- Eaglewatch Lake
- Redtail Lake
Track Spring Gulch 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 Spring Gulch Dam
Where does the data for Spring Gulch 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 Spring Gulch Dam.