Fortune dam
Fortune
Fortune is a public utility water supply dam located in Westminster, Colorado, along the Big Dry Creek-TR river. Built in 2001 by THE APPLEGATE GROUP, this earth dam stands at 113 feet high and serves a critical role in water management for Jefferson County. With a maximum storage capacity of 10,219 acre-feet and a normal storage of 9,800 acre-feet, Fortune plays a vital role in ensuring water security for the region.
Despite its importance, Fortune poses a high hazard potential due to its size and location. However, regular inspections have deemed its condition satisfactory, with the last assessment conducted in October 2020. While the dam has an uncontrolled spillway and one outlet valve, it has not undergone any modifications since its completion. Its risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities in the event of an emergency.
As water resources and climate enthusiasts, the data on Fortune provides valuable insights into the infrastructure supporting Colorado's water supply. Understanding the intricacies of this essential structure, from its design and construction to its current condition and risk assessment, is crucial for safeguarding water resources in the face of changing climate conditions. With Fortune's strategic location and significant storage capacity, it serves as a key asset in the region's water management efforts and underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring to mitigate potential risks.
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 Fortune -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coal Creek Near Plainview | 4 cfs | → |
| Little Dry Creek At Westminster | 2 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Golden | 106 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Denver | 140 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Mouth | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fortune.
Boat launches
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
Campgrounds
- Tipi Village
- Standley Lake
- Clear Creek Rv Park
- Camp Patiya
- Rifleman Phillips Group Campground
- Gennessee Ropes Camp Spot
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Golden Whitewater Park
- Tunnel 1 To Golden Whitewater Park
- Lower Boulder Canyon
- Idledale To Morrison
- Upper Clear Creek
- Upper South Boulder Creek
More reservoirs
Track Fortune 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 Fortune
Where does the data for Fortune 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 Fortune.