Lunney dam
Lunney
Lunney, a privately owned irrigation dam located in Rio Blanco, Colorado, serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area. Built in 1904, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 35 feet and spans 120 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet. Situated on the Nine Mile Draw river system, Lunney plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing water for agricultural purposes in the region.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Lunney's condition assessment as of August 2016 was rated as fair. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, ongoing inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure the dam's structural integrity and overall safety. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources (DWR), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes in place to oversee its operation and maintenance.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Lunney to be an intriguing example of a historic irrigation dam in Colorado. Its location, design, and purpose highlight the importance of maintaining and managing such infrastructure to ensure the sustainable use of water resources for agricultural needs. With its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Lunney serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Lunney -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near Meeker | 506 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 464 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 744 cfs | → |
| White River Below Meeker | 576 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek At White River | 2 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Craig | 2,490 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lunney.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Meeker City Park
- Duffy Mountain Axial Trailhead Camping
- Duffy Mountain Camping
- East Marvine Campground
- East Marvine
- Marvine Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Yampa River Segment 2
- Yampa River Segment 1
- Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
- Cross Mountain Gorge
More reservoirs
Track Lunney 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 Lunney
Where does the data for Lunney 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 Lunney.