Mole-Richardson #2 dam
Mole-Richardson #2
Mole-Richardson #2 is a privately owned dam located in Grand Junction, Colorado, along the Colorado River. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at 37 feet high and serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 19 acre-feet. The dam's low hazard potential and fair condition assessment make it a moderate risk structure, requiring regular inspection and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Despite its relatively small surface area and drainage area, Mole-Richardson #2 plays a crucial role in water management and agricultural activities in the region. With a spillway width of 2 feet and uncontrolled spillway type, the dam is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 19 cubic feet per second. Its strategic location along the Colorado River also offers opportunities for recreational activities, enhancing the dam's value beyond irrigation purposes. As a regulated and permitted structure, Mole-Richardson #2 reflects the commitment to responsible water resource management in Colorado.
Overall, Mole-Richardson #2 stands as a vital infrastructure for water supply and irrigation in Mesa County. With its moderate risk level and fair condition, ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts are essential to ensure the dam's continued safety and operational efficiency. As a key component of the water management system along the Colorado River, this dam contributes to the region's agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, highlighting the intersection of water resources and climate considerations in the area.
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 Mole-Richardson #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 41 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 20 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 932 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mole-Richardson #2.
Boat launches
- Corn Lake Boat Ramp
- Eagle Rim Trail Grand Junction
- State Highway 141 Mesa County
- Whitewater Boat Launch
- Redlands Dam River Access
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
Campgrounds
- Island Acres - James M. Robb - Colorado River State Park
- Low Gap Rec Site
- Unaweep Rim Camp 1
- Black Bear Cabin
- Moose Manor Cabin
- Jumbo Campground - Grand Valley Rd
Fishing spots
Track Mole-Richardson #2 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 Mole-Richardson #2
Where does the data for Mole-Richardson #2 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 Mole-Richardson #2.