Grand Mesa #1 dam
Grand Mesa #1
Grand Mesa #1, located in Grand Junction, Colorado, is a vital irrigation dam constructed in 1887 on Reservoir Creek. Standing at 22 feet in height and stretching 800 feet in length, this earth dam with stone core serves the primary purpose of providing water for agricultural use in the region. With a storage capacity of 655 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1 square mile, Grand Mesa #1 plays a crucial role in supporting the local farming community.
Despite its historical significance and essential role in irrigation, Grand Mesa #1 is currently rated as having a significant hazard potential with an unsatisfactory condition assessment. The dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in July 2019. While the risk assessment deems the dam's risk level as moderate, there is a need for further risk management measures to ensure the safety and structural integrity of this important water resource infrastructure.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Grand Mesa #1 to be a fascinating case study in the management and maintenance of aging irrigation dams. As a regulated and permitted structure under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the dam's design by Buckhorn GeoEch and its historical significance add to its intrigue. With its location in a scenic landscape and its critical role in sustaining agricultural activities, Grand Mesa #1 serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Grand Mesa #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 40 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 12 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 35 cfs | → |
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,940 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 42 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 932 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Grand Mesa #1.
Boat launches
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Z Road Delta County
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
Campgrounds
- Black Bear Cabin
- Moose Manor Cabin
- Spruce Grove - Mesa
- Jumbo
- Jumbo Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Spruce Grove Campground - Grand Valley Rd
Fishing spots
- Carson Lake
- Lost Lake (Grand Mesa
- South Mesa Lake
- Glacier Springs Retention Pond (Grand Mesa)
- Mesa Lake
- Beaver Lake
Paddle runs
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 1
- Potter Creek
- Monitor Creek
More reservoirs
Track Grand Mesa #1 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 Grand Mesa #1
Where does the data for Grand Mesa #1 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 Significant 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 Grand Mesa #1.