Indian Wash Det. dam
Indian Wash Det.
Indian Wash Det. is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Owned and regulated by a public utility, this earth dam stands at a height of 65 feet, with a structural height of 80 feet and a length of 2105 feet. Completed in 1965, it serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Indian Wash river, with a storage capacity of 2137 acre-feet and a surface area of 42 acres.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a hazard potential rated as high and a condition assessment deemed fair as of May 2018. The surrounding area has a moderate risk assessment level, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, regular inspections are conducted every three years to ensure its integrity and safety in the face of potential emergencies.
With a history dating back over half a century, Indian Wash Det. continues to play a crucial role in protecting the local community from flooding events. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, structures like these are essential for safeguarding water resources and mitigating the risks posed by extreme weather events. The commitment to regular inspections and maintenance ensures that the dam remains a reliable asset in the region's water resource management and climate adaptation efforts.
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 Indian Wash Det. -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,130 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 52 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 3,490 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 4,160 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Indian Wash Det..
Boat launches
- Eagle Rim Trail Grand Junction
- Corn Lake Boat Ramp
- Redlands Dam River Access
- Whitewater Boat Launch
- State Highway 141 Mesa County
- Mesa County
Campgrounds
- Low Gap Rec Site
- Island Acres - James M. Robb - Colorado River State Park
- Saddlehorn - Colorado National Monument
- Saddlehorn Campground
- Fruita - Colorado River State Park
- North Fruita Desert Lower Campground H2
Fishing spots
Track Indian Wash Det. 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 Indian Wash Det.
Where does the data for Indian Wash Det. 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 Indian Wash Det..