Badger Detention dam
Badger Detention
Badger Detention, located in Mesa, Colorado, serves as a critical infrastructure for flood risk reduction along the Badger Wash. Completed in 1957, this federal-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet, with a structural height of 31 feet and a length of 445 feet. It has a storage capacity of 380 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 190 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 28 acres and draining an area of 3 square miles.
Although categorized as having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk. Inspected every three years, the condition of Badger Detention is currently not rated, and emergency action protocols are not yet in place. With a spillway width of 30 feet and maximum discharge capacity of 1160 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing floodwaters and protecting the surrounding community of Mack. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Badger Detention a compelling example of flood control infrastructure in the Colorado region.
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 Badger Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2,820 cfs | → |
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 41 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Cisco | 103 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Badger Detention.
Boat launches
- Loma Boat Launch
- 12 1/2 Rd Mesa County
- Mesa County
- Westwater Ranger Station
- Westwater Grand County
- Eagle Rim Trail Grand Junction
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Mack Mesa Lake
- Highline Lake
- Mack Mesa Reservoir
- Fruita Reservoir Number 2
- Connected Lakes
- West Lake (Gj)
Track Badger Detention 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 Badger Detention
Where does the data for Badger Detention 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 Badger Detention.