Ridgway dam
Ridgway
Ridgway, located in Ouray County, Colorado, along the Uncompahgre River, is a Federal-owned dam designed by the Bureau of Reclamation for flood risk reduction. Completed in 1986, this earth dam stands at an impressive height of 330 feet, with a hydraulic height of 221 feet and a length of 2465 feet. Its primary purpose extends beyond flood protection to include irrigation, recreation, and water supply, showcasing its multifaceted role in water resource management.
With a storage capacity of 89,230 acre-feet and a surface area of 1109 acres, Ridgway Dam serves a vital role in managing the local watershed's drainage area of 265 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected, with the most recent assessment conducted in June 2020. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in July 2020, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and risk management in safeguarding the surrounding communities.
As a significant piece of infrastructure in the region, Ridgway Dam symbolizes the intricate balance between human development and natural resources. Its presence not only mitigates flood risks but also supports essential functions like irrigation and recreation. By adhering to rigorous regulatory standards and maintaining a proactive approach to risk assessment, Ridgway Dam stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in the face of changing climates and evolving challenges.
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 Ridgway -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uncompahgre River Below Ridgway Reservoir | 93 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ridgway | 250 cfs | → |
| Dallas Creek Near Ridgway | 0 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Colona | 97 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 100 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ouray | 292 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ridgway.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Ridgway State Park
- Buckhorn Lakes Dispersed Campsites
- Beaver Lake
- Big Cimarron
- Big Cimarron Campground - Ouray Rd
- Beaver Lake Campground - Ouray Rd
Fishing spots
- Ridgway Reservoir
- Beaver Lake Day Use Area/ Fishing Site
- Silver Jack Reservoir
- Silver Jack Fisherman Access
- Chipeta Lakes Swa
- Crystal Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Gunnison Gorge
- The Southern Boundary Of The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument To The Painted Wall
- San Miguel River Segment 1
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Morrow Point Reservoir
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
Track Ridgway 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 Ridgway
Where does the data for Ridgway 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 Ridgway.