Platoro Reservoir water level — Colorado
Platoro Reservoir in Colorado was last measured at 9,987.05 ft (datum NGVD29), as of Aug 22, 2026, 1:15 PM (UTC+00:00) (USACE CWMS Data). Over its recent trend window the level has been falling (−0.2 ft).
- % of conservation pool full
- Not reported
- Storage
- 22,429 acre-ft
- Recent trend
- ↓Falling
−0.2 ft over the trend window
Recent trend
Readings this station published between Jun 2, 2026 and Jun 7, 2026 — a 5-day window — downsampled for display.
Data: USGS Water Services (waterservices.usgs.gov) and USACE CWMS Data (cwms-data.usace.army.mil), retrieved 2026-08-31. Both public domain (a work of the U.S. Government, 17 U.S.C. §105).
Source: USACE SPA/Platoro, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00). Official page for this lake →
About this gauge's record
USACE's continuous elevation record for this project begins in 2009 (2 tracked series for this project).
The dam behind Platoro Reservoir
Platoro Reservoir is held back by Platoro Dam (also recorded as Platoro Reservoir) , an earthfill embankment, holding the pool back by sheer mass and an impervious core rather than by the strength of concrete , standing 165 ft high and running 885 ft along its crest , built across CONEJOS RIVER in Conejos County , near PLATORO . It was completed in 1951 , and is owned by BUREAU OF RECLAMATION (a federal owner) , to a design credited to BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.
Its recorded primary purpose is flood risk reduction — the pool is drawn down between storms so there is empty space waiting for the next flood, which is why this level can fall in dry weather and climb sharply after rain . It also serves flood risk reduction;irrigation;fish and wildlife pond;recreation.
Its spillway is ungated: once the pool reaches the crest, water leaves on its own and the operator cannot hold it back. The spillway opening is 50 ft wide.
NID classes it high hazard potential. That describes what a failure would cost downstream — loss of life would be expected — and says nothing about how likely a failure is, or what condition the dam is in.
At its normal pool the reservoir covers about 1,000 acres. NID records a maximum storage of 73,317 acre-ft against a normal storage of 53,506 acre-ft. Its maximum discharge capacity is 3,259 cubic feet per second. It is regulated by DWR.
Dam facts: National Inventory of Dams record CO01671 , filed by Bureau of Reclamation — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public domain. Water levels above come from USACE CWMS Data and are a separate source. (How this dam was matched to this gauge →)
How Platoro Reservoir compares nearby
All 2 nearby lakes with a current trend are also falling, suggesting a regional pattern rather than an operation specific to this dam.
Nearby lakes
The six nearest published lakes by centroid distance (great-circle) — cross-state neighbors included.
| Lake | State | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Reservoir | CO | — | 76 km |
| Heron Reservoir on Willow Creek | NM | — | 78 km |
| Continental Reservoir | CO | — | 83 km |
| El Vado Lake | NM | — | 86 km |
| Vallecito Dam & Reservoir | CO | 7,620.66 ft | 92 km |
| Lemon Reservoir | CO | 8,090.48 ft | 99 km |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the current water level of Platoro Reservoir?
- As of Aug 22, 2026, 1:15 PM (UTC+00:00), the pool elevation was 9,987.05 ft (datum NGVD29). See the trend chart above for the recent direction.
- Is Platoro Reservoir full right now?
- Its managing agency does not publish a %-of-conservation-pool-full figure for this lake, so we show the bare level rather than estimate one.
- Where does this data come from?
- From USACE SPA/Platoro, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00).
More in Colorado
See every lake tracked in Colorado, or read the methodology behind these figures.