Dillon dam
Dillon
Dillon Dam, located in Summit County, Colorado, is a major earth dam completed in 1963 with a primary purpose of providing water supply. Standing at a height of 231 feet and a length of 4625 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 305,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3300 acres. Its maximum discharge capacity is 11,750 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial structure for managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Dillon Dam plays a vital role in supporting multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. The dam's high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment highlight the importance of effective risk management measures. With inspections by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and emergency action plans in place, Dillon Dam remains a key infrastructure for water management in the area.
Situated on Blue Creek in Silverthorne, Dillon Dam not only serves as a key water supply source but also contributes to recreational activities and hydroelectric power generation. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the significance of structures like Dillon Dam in ensuring water security and resilience in the face of changing conditions becomes increasingly evident.
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 Dillon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blue River Below Dillon | 54 cfs | → |
| Straight Cr Blw Laskey Gulch Nr Dillon | 17 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near Dillon | 72 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Bl North Tenmile C | 102 cfs | → |
| Keystone Gulch Near Dillon | 7 cfs | → |
| Snake River Near Montezuma | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dillon .
Boat launches
- Co 9 Summit County
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Turquoise Lake Trail Lake County
- Matchless Boating Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Dillon Reservoir
- Giberson Bay Day Use Fishing Site
- Officers Gulch Pond
- Curtain Ponds
- Black Lakes (Vail)
- Hassell Lake
Paddle runs
- Silverthorne Town Run
- Lower Ten Mile
- Lower Snake
- Middle Ten Mile
- Upper Ten Mile
- Upper Blue (Blue River Cg To Columbine Landing)
More reservoirs
Track Dillon 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 Dillon
Where does the data for Dillon 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 Dillon .