Polaris dam
Polaris
Polaris, also known as the Enl of 994r, is a private irrigation dam located in Laramie, Wyoming, near Timnath, Colorado. Built in 1909, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 41 feet and has a structural height of 51 feet, with a length of 1071 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 687 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of irrigation for the surrounding area.
Despite its historical significance, Polaris is facing challenges with its condition assessment rated as poor and a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in 2017 raised concerns about the dam's safety and highlighted the need for regular maintenance and improvement measures. With a high risk assessment rating of 2, there is a pressing need for risk management measures to mitigate potential issues and ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
As a critical infrastructure in the area, Polaris plays a crucial role in water resource management and agricultural activities. However, its deteriorating condition and high-risk profile underscore the importance of proactive maintenance and safety measures to prevent potential disasters and ensure the long-term sustainability of the dam and its operations. Climate and water resource enthusiasts should closely monitor developments at Polaris to support efforts towards its rehabilitation and safety enhancement.
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 Polaris -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Creek At 19th Street | 3 cfs | → |
| North Fork Cache La Poudre R. At Livermore | 4 cfs | → |
| N Frk Cache La Poudre R Blw Halligan Res Nr V Dal | 38 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R A Mo Of Cn | 914 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River At Fort Collins | 299 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C | 299 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Polaris.
Boat launches
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out #2)
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out)
- Filter Plant River Access Point (Put-In)
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Sloans Lake
- Lake Absarraca
- Lower North Crow Reservoir
- Granite Springs Reservoir
- Smith Lake (Lar. Cty.) (Boxelder #3)
- Douglas Reservoir
Track Polaris 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 Polaris
Where does the data for Polaris 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 Significant 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 Polaris.