Bunkwater Ridge Retention Dam, located in Mesa County, Colorado, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and creating a small fish pond. Built in 1960, this gravity dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet and has a hydraulic height of 26 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 65 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 65 acres, with a drainage area of 1.4 square miles. The dam is owned, funded, designed, constructed, regulated, inspected, and operated by the Bureau of Land Management.

With a low hazard potential and a fair condition assessment, Bunkwater Ridge Retention Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 6 feet and has not been modified in recent years. The last inspection was conducted in September 2018, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. The dam is situated on a tributary to Cottenwood Creek and plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.