Upper Highline dam
Upper Highline
Upper Highline, also known as Highline Lake, is a state-owned recreational reservoir located in Mesa County, Colorado. Built in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 87 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 7,125 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 155 acres and is fed by the Mack Wash-TR river or stream, providing water for various recreational activities.
The dam underwent modifications in 1969 for structural improvements, followed by hydraulic, mechanical, and additional structural enhancements in 1997. With a spillway width of 40 feet and a high hazard potential, Upper Highline is inspected annually, with its condition assessed as fair in the latest evaluation conducted in April 2020. Despite the moderate risk associated with the reservoir, it continues to be a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation in a picturesque setting.
Situated within the Omaha District, Upper Highline is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, ensuring compliance with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. With its scenic surroundings and recreational offerings, this reservoir serves as a vital water resource for the local community while also providing a glimpse into the intersection of water management and environmental stewardship in the 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 Upper Highline -- 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 Upper Highline.
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
- Highline Lake
- Mack Mesa Lake
- Mack Mesa Reservoir
- Fruita Reservoir Number 2
- Connected Lakes
- West Lake (Gj)
Track Upper Highline 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 Upper Highline
Where does the data for Upper Highline 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 High 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 Upper Highline.