Thompson #2 dam
Thompson #2
Thompson #2 is a privately owned dam located in Mesa County, Colorado, near the city of Dewey. The dam was completed in 1953 by the USDA NRCS and serves the primary purpose of irrigation, with a maximum storage capacity of 393 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 243 acre-feet. The dam, which is an earth-fill structure with a height of 32 feet, is situated on the Trail Canyon Wash and covers a surface area of 30 acres.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Thompson #2 is subject to state regulation and inspection by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and is equipped with slide and uncontrolled outlet gates. However, the last inspection of the dam was conducted in May 1994, highlighting the need for updated assessments of its condition and risk management measures. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, it is crucial for stakeholders to ensure that the necessary emergency preparedness protocols are in place to mitigate any potential hazards associated with the dam.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Thompson #2 to be an intriguing case study of a privately owned irrigation dam in the western United States. The dam's location in a semi-arid region underscores the importance of efficient water management practices for agricultural purposes. As discussions around climate change and water scarcity continue to gain prominence, the responsible maintenance and operation of dams like Thompson #2 are essential for sustainable water resource management in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Thompson #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2,820 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Gateway | 132 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Cisco | 103 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson #2.
Boat launches
- Mesa County
- 12 1/2 Rd Mesa County
- Loma Boat Launch
- Redlands Dam River Access
- Eagle Rim Trail Grand Junction
- Corn Lake Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Saddlehorn Campground
- Saddlehorn - Colorado National Monument
- Miracle Rock Site 5
- Miracle Rock Site 6
- Miracle Rock
- Miracle Rock Site 4
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Horsethief And Ruby Canyons
- Westwater
- Colorado River
- Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
- Little Dolores, Colo. River Segment 2
- Star Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
More reservoirs
Track Thompson #2 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 Thompson #2
Where does the data for Thompson #2 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 Thompson #2.