Silver Lakes #2 dam
Silver Lakes #2
Silver Lakes #2 is a privately owned fish and wildlife pond located in Conejos, Colorado, with a primary purpose of supporting fish and wildlife habitats. The earth dam, standing at 19 feet tall and 200 feet long, was completed in 1910 and has a storage capacity of 76 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its satisfactory condition.
Situated along the French Creek-TR river, Silver Lakes #2 serves as a recreational area for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. With a surface area of 10 acres and a maximum discharge of 64 cubic feet per second, the dam provides a serene setting for outdoor activities. While the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, measures are in place to manage any potential hazards and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Silver Lakes #2 is a vital component of the local ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of aquatic life. The dam's role in maintaining water quality and regulating flow is crucial for the sustainability of the environment. As water resources continue to be impacted by climate change, the preservation and proper management of structures like Silver Lakes #2 are essential for ensuring the resilience of ecosystems in the face of evolving environmental 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 Silver Lakes #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alamosa River Above Terrace Reservoir | 181 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 145 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Wightman Fork Near Jasper | -999 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork At Mouth Near Jasper | 3 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 243 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silver Lakes #2.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Kerr Lake Fishing Site
- La Jara Reservoir
- Lost Lake
- Platoro Reservoir
- Spectacle Lake Fishing Site
- Poage Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- South Fork--Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
- Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
- El Rito Azul--Blue Lake (Sec 26, T35n, R3e) And Portion Of Conejos Above Platoro Reservoir To Upper Reach Of Platoro Reservoir--Sec 6, T35n, R4e
- Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
- Middle Fork--Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks--Sec 14, T35n, R3e
- North Fork--Sec 8, T35n, R2e To Confluence With Middle Fork
More reservoirs
Track Silver Lakes #2 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 Silver Lakes #2
Where does the data for Silver Lakes #2 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 Silver Lakes #2.