Signal #1 dam
Signal #1
Signal #1, located in Fort Lupton, Colorado, along Big Dry Creek, is a significant irrigation dam with a height of 22 feet and a length of 1976 feet. Built in 1890 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation, storing up to 345 acre-feet of water with a normal storage capacity of 260 acre-feet. Despite its historical significance, Signal #1 is classified as having a significant hazard potential and an unsatisfactory condition assessment.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Signal #1 undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With an uncontrolled spillway and a maximum discharge of 110 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. While it poses a moderate risk, efforts to mitigate potential hazards and enhance its safety measures are ongoing to protect downstream communities and 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 Signal #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River At Henderson | 167 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton | 13 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Fort Lupton | 131 cfs | → |
| First Cr Ab 96th Ave | 1 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 0 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Signal #1.
Boat launches
- Brighton
- Adams County
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Ken Mitchell Park Pond
- Marshall Reservoir
- Brighton City Park Lake
- Talbott Irrigation Reservoir
- Adams County Fairground Lakes
- Hunters Glen Lake
Paddle runs
- Lower Boulder Canyon
- October Hole
- Golden Whitewater Park
- Black Bear Hole & A-Hole
- Tunnel 1 To Golden Whitewater Park
- Ssv - Confluence To Picnic Grounds
More reservoirs
Track Signal #1 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 Signal #1
Where does the data for Signal #1 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 Significant 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 Signal #1.