Platoro Dam

Platoro Dam Quick Facts

Location: Conejos, Colorado
Coordinates: 37.3509, -106.5459
River: Conejos River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1951
Dam Height: 145 ft (44 m)
Dam Length: 885 ft (270 m)
Dam Capacity: 73,317 acre-ft (90,435 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Platoro Dam Map

Platoro Dam Information

Platoro Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 1 miles from Platoro, Conejos, Colorado.

The dam, which is on the Conejos River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Irrigation, Fish and Wildlife Pond and Recreation benefits.

The dam was designed by US Bureau of Reclamation and commissioned in 1951 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Platoro Dam Structure

The Platoro Dam is approximately 885 feet (270 m) long, 145 feet (44 m) high and has a structural volume of 990,900 cubic yards (757,598 cubic metres).

Platoro Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 53,506 acre-ft (65,999 Ml) and maximum capacity of 73,317 acre-ft (90,435 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 1,000 acres (405 ha) and the total catchment area is 40 square miles (104 square kilometres).

Platoro Dam Spillway

The dam spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 6900 cubic feet per second (195 cubic metres per second).

Platoro Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Platoro Dam
Conejos, Colorado
Height (ft)
145
Length (Ft)
885
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
73,317
Drainage Area (sq miles)
40
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Platoro Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Platoro Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 19:28
Sunrise 07:16
Sunset 17:18
Temperature (°F) 8
Feels Like (°F) -5
Cloud Coverage (%) 3
Pressure (inHg) 1035
Humidity (%) 61
Wind Speed (mph) 8
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Platoro Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today -14 24 15 1021 53 11 32 WSW 0 - clear sky
Wed -10 15 2 1024 45 14 34 NW 0 - clear sky
Thu -10 12 -3 1035 49 9 19 NW 0 - clear sky
Fri 0 28 19 1013 51 12 27 WSW 0 - clear sky
Sat 10 21 9 1012 39 16 36 SW 100 - snow
Sun 9 18 8 1015 83 11 21 WSW 100 - snow
Mon -1 17 15 1019 89 5 7 NE 100 - snow
Tue -3 21 12 1019 65 5 9 NE 20 - light snow

Platoro Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Platoro Dam?

Platoro Dam is in Colorado.

In which county is the Platoro Dam?

Platoro Dam is in Conejos County.

How high is the Platoro Dam?

Platoro Dam is 145 feet high.

How long is the Platoro Dam?

Platoro Dam is 885 feet long.

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More Dams in Conejos County:

La Jara - Dam No. 1
La Jara - Dam No. 2
Platoro Dam
Terrace Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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