West Miller dam
West Miller
West Miller, also known as Howey Reservoir, is a privately owned irrigation reservoir located in Meeker, Colorado. Built in 1906, this earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a storage capacity of 153 acre-feet. The reservoir serves the primary purpose of irrigation and is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, West Miller presents a moderate risk level according to a recent assessment. The reservoir's uncontrolled spillway and a drainage area of 0 acres indicate a manageable risk profile. Despite being constructed over a century ago, West Miller continues to play a vital role in providing water for agricultural purposes in the region, showcasing the resilience and longevity of well-maintained water infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, West Miller offers a glimpse into the historical development of water management in Colorado and the ongoing efforts to sustainably utilize water for irrigation purposes. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, this reservoir symbolizes the importance of responsible water resource management in maintaining agricultural productivity and ecological balance in the region. Its location along Fourteen Mile Creek and its low hazard potential make West Miller a noteworthy example of effective dam engineering and regulatory oversight in the state.
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 West Miller -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 744 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 464 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 506 cfs | → |
| White River Below Meeker | 576 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek Bl Ryan Gulch | 4 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek At White River | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Miller.
Campgrounds
- Three Forks
- Rifle Mountain County Park
- Rifle Mountain Park
- Cedar Mountain Camp
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Sage Campground
Fishing spots
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Lake Avery
- Rio Blanco Lake
Paddle runs
- Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
- Riverbend (Tibbet's) To New Castle
- New Castle To Silt
- South Canyon To Riverbend (Tibbet's)
More reservoirs
Track West Miller 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 West Miller
Where does the data for West Miller 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 West Miller.