Willow Creek Forebay Dam dam
Willow Creek Forebay Dam
Willow Creek Forebay Dam, located in Grand County, Colorado, is a significant earth dam with a hydraulic height of 95 feet and a structural height of 127 feet. Completed in 1953, this dam serves as a crucial water resource infrastructure, providing a storage capacity of 10,600 acre-feet to regulate the flow of Willow Creek. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this federal-owned structure plays a vital role in water management and regulation in the region.
With the responsibility of inspection, enforcement, and permitting falling under the Bureau of Reclamation, Willow Creek Forebay Dam is a well-regulated and maintained structure with a low hazard potential. Although the condition assessment is currently not available, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are essential components in ensuring the safety and integrity of the dam. The dam's location in an area prone to climate variability underscores the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, Willow Creek Forebay Dam stands as a crucial asset in managing water supply and flood control in the region. With its role in regulating the flow of Willow Creek and providing storage capacity, this dam highlights the significance of resilient water management practices in the face of evolving climate challenges. The collaboration between federal agencies, state regulators, and local stakeholders is essential in ensuring the continued effectiveness and safety of this vital water resource structure.
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 Willow Creek Forebay Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Creek Below Willow Creek Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Granby | 76 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Lake Granby | 101 cfs | → |
| Colorado River At Windy Gap | 190 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Bl Shadow Mountain Reservoir | 22 cfs | → |
| Grand Lake Outlet Blw Chipmunk Ln At Grand Lk | 212 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Creek Forebay Dam.
Boat launches
- Willow Creek Boating Site
- Cr 6 Grand County
- Us 34 Grand County
- Grand County
- Hilltop Boating Site
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
Campgrounds
- Sunset Point
- Willow Creek
- Stillwater
- Cutthroat Bay Group Campground
- Highway 4 Pullout Dispersed Camping
- Green Ridge Campground
Fishing spots
- Willow Creek Fishing Site
- Granby Lake
- Shadow Mountain Reservoir
- Monarch Lake
- Watanga Lake - Ipwa
- Meadow Creek Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road
- Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115
- Begins 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road To Ends Where River Segment Exits Rocky Mountain National Park
- Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of Fern Lake Road
- Headwaters To Fan Lake
Track Willow Creek Forebay 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 Willow Creek Forebay Dam
Where does the data for Willow Creek Forebay 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 Low 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 Willow Creek Forebay Dam.