Rajadero Reservoir dam
Rajadero Reservoir
Rajadero Reservoir, located in Conejos, Colorado, is a federally owned structure managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Built in 1979 for flood risk reduction, this gravity dam stands at a structural height of 24 feet with a hydraulic height of 18 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 52 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 50 acres.
Although the hazard potential for Rajadero Reservoir is rated as low, it is still subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. The last inspection was conducted in March 2009, with a recommended inspection frequency of every 5 years. Despite not having a condition assessment rating, the reservoir remains in satisfactory condition with no reported issues.
As a key component in flood risk reduction efforts, Rajadero Reservoir plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. With its strategic location and efficient design, this reservoir serves as a vital water resource for the region while maintaining a low hazard potential and ensuring the safety of nearby communities.
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 Rajadero Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| La Jara Creek At Gallegos Ranch | 7 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 135 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Near Mogote | 739 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Terrace Reservoir | 291 cfs | → |
| San Antonio River At Mouth | 52 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 246 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rajadero Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Elk Creek
- Aspen Glade Campground
- Aspen Glade
- Mogote Campground
- Elk Creek Overflow Campground
- Mogote - Juniper Group Camping Site
Fishing spots
- La Jara Reservoir
- La Manga Creek (Beaver Ponds)
- Lost Lake
- Spectacle Lake Fishing Site
- Trujillo Meadows Lake
- Trujillo Meadows Boating Site
Paddle runs
- Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
- South Fork--Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
- Sec 9, T32n, R6e To Sec 22, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
- Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
- Sec 23, T32n, R5e To Sec 20, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
- Tierra Amarilla Grant Boundary To Colorado Stateline
Track Rajadero Reservoir 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 Rajadero Reservoir
Where does the data for Rajadero Reservoir 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 Rajadero Reservoir.