Blue Mesa Reservoir reservoir
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Blue Mesa Reservoir is located in Colorado and was created by the construction of the Blue Mesa Dam in the 1960s. It is the largest body of water in Colorado, with a capacity of 940,000 acre-feet. The reservoir is fed by two primary flow sources, the Gunnison River and the Cimarron River, which provide surface flow into the reservoir. Snowmelt from the surrounding mountains also contributes to the reservoir's water supply. The water from the reservoir is primarily used for agricultural and recreational purposes, including irrigation and fishing. The reservoir is home to a variety of fish species, including kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout, making it a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts. Additionally, the reservoir's surrounding area offers opportunities for camping, hiking, and water sports.
Daily levels at Blue Mesa Reservoir
Storage volume, pool elevation, and total release plotted from the operating agency's daily observations.
Storage
acre-ft · code 17
Inflow
cfs · code 29
Pool Elevation
ft · code 49
Total Release
cfs · code 42
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 Blue Mesa Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cimarron River Bl Squaw Creek | 29 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork At Gateview | 137 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Below Gunnison Tunnel | 328 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 65 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Gunnison | 332 cfs | → |
| Tomichi Creek At Gunnison | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Mesa Reservoir.
⚓ Boat launches
- Us 50 Sapinero
- Dillon Pinnacles Trail Gunnison County
- Ponderosa Campground Gunnison County
- Us 50 Gunnison County
- Silver Thread Scenic Byway Gunnison County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Lake Fork - Curecanti Area
- Narrows Boat-In Campsite
- Lake Fork Arm
- Lake Fork Arm Boat-In Campsite
- Blue Creek Boat-In Campsite
- Curecanti Creek
🎣 Fishing spots
- Morrow Point Reservoir
- Blue Mesa Reservoir
- Crystal Reservoir
- Gould Reservoir
- Beaver Lake Day Use Area/ Fishing Site
- Silver Jack Reservoir
🛶 Paddle runs
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Morrow Point Reservoir
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Blue Mesa Reservoir
- The Southern Boundary Of The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument To The Painted Wall
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Snoflo app
Save this reservoir as a favorite and set push alerts when storage crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me at 80% of normal").
About Blue Mesa Reservoir
Where does the data for Blue Mesa Reservoir come from?
Daily storage, pool elevation, and release rates are sourced from USGS, USBR, and USACE monitoring stations. Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
Storage observations are updated daily by the operating agency. The 15-day weather forecast refreshes throughout the day. Snoflo caches and renders the most recent observation -- check the "as of" timestamp on the storage card.
What does the Hazard 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 reservoir, 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 Blue Mesa Reservoir.