Palisade #3 dam
Palisade #3
Palisade #3, also known as the Upper Reservoir, is a vital water resource located in Mesa County, Colorado. This local government-owned dam was completed in 1928 with the primary purpose of providing water supply to the surrounding area. With a height of 25 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 35 acre-feet, Palisade #3 plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Palisade #3 has not been rated for its condition since August 2001. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 8 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 432 cubic feet per second. The dam's structure stretches 500 feet in length, covering a surface area of 3 acres and serving a drainage area of 0. Climate enthusiasts and water resource professionals alike will find Palisade #3 to be an intriguing case study in water management and infrastructure development.
Located on Rapid Creek in Palisade, Colorado, Palisade #3 stands as a testament to the region's commitment to water supply management. While the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, its operational status is confirmed with regular inspections and regulatory oversight by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. As climate change continues to impact water resources worldwide, understanding the role of dams like Palisade #3 becomes increasingly crucial for sustainable water management practices.
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 Palisade #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,940 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 42 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 3,450 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 12 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Palisade #3.
Boat launches
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Corn Lake Boat Ramp
- Z Road Delta County
- State Highway 141 Mesa County
- Whitewater Boat Launch
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
Campgrounds
- Island Acres - James M. Robb - Colorado River State Park
- Black Bear Cabin
- Moose Manor Cabin
- Jumbo Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Jumbo
- Spruce Grove - Mesa
Fishing spots
- Juniata Reservoir
- Jumbo Reservoir (Grand Mesa)
- Sunset Lake
- Glacier Springs Retention Pond (Grand Mesa)
- Lost Lake (Grand Mesa
- South Mesa Lake
Track Palisade #3 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 Palisade #3
Where does the data for Palisade #3 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 Palisade #3.