Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 2 dam
Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 2
Ordway Town Reservoir Cell No. 2, also known as Ordway Reservoir, is a local government-owned water resource located in Crowley County, Colorado. Built in 1935 by the Works Progress Administration, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet with a length of 2880 feet, providing irrigation water from the Bob Creek-OS for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 220 acre-feet and a surface area of 18 acres, this reservoir plays a vital role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential, Ordway Town Reservoir Cell No. 2 currently has an unsatisfactory condition assessment as of May 2020. The dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations. Although the reservoir lacks a spillway and has no associated locks, it is equipped with drum outlet gates for water release. The risk assessment categorizes this dam as high risk, emphasizing the need for proper risk management measures to mitigate any potential threats.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Ordway Town Reservoir Cell No. 2 to be a fascinating example of historical water infrastructure in Colorado. Its significance in providing irrigation water to the local community highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As efforts continue to improve its condition and reduce risks associated with the dam, this reservoir serves as a reminder of the critical role that water resources play in supporting agricultural activities and ensuring water security for future generations.
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 Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Catlin Dam | 70 cfs | → |
| Catlin Canal At Mile 0.1 | 265 cfs | → |
| Apishapa River Near Fowler | 3 cfs | → |
| Timpas Creek At Mouth Near Swink | 45 cfs | → |
| Crooked Arroyo Near Swink | 6 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At La Junta | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 2.
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 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 Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 2
Where does the data for Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 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 Ordway Town Res. Cell No. 2.