E. G. Merritt dam
E. G. Merritt
E. G. Merritt is a privately owned earth dam located in Montezuma, Colorado, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Constructed in 1978 by designer Percy Krantz, this dam stands at a height of 21 feet and a length of 620 feet, with a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet. Situated along the Alkali Canyon-TR river or stream, it serves as a vital resource for fire protection, stock, and small fish ponds in addition to irrigation.
Despite its low hazard potential, E. G. Merritt has an unsatisfactory condition assessment as of February 2016. With a moderate risk level and a 6-year inspection frequency, this dam raises concerns for potential improvements and risk management measures. The spillway width of 26 feet and uncontrolled spillway type indicate the need for careful monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of this water resource infrastructure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in E. G. Merritt will find its location in the picturesque setting of Bluff, UT, a captivating aspect. The dam's historical significance and contribution to the local ecosystem make it a focal point for understanding water management practices in the region. As a privately owned structure regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, E. G. Merritt presents a case study for sustainable water resource management and the importance of regular inspections and maintenance for dam safety.
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 E. G. Merritt -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mcelmo Creek Above Trail Canyon Near Cortez | 20 cfs | → |
| Mud Creek At State Highway 32 | 0 cfs | → |
| Dolores River At Dolores | 554 cfs | → |
| Lost Canyon Creek Near Dolores | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 1 cfs | → |
| Mancos River Near Towaoc | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near E. G. Merritt.
Boat launches
- Colorado Street Montezuma County
- County Road S 16951, Dolores County
- Boat Ramp - Aggregate
- Mountain Sheep Point Rec Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track E. G. Merritt 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 E. G. Merritt
Where does the data for E. G. Merritt 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 E. G. Merritt.