Fruitgrowers dam
Fruitgrowers
Fruitgrowers Dam, located in Delta, Colorado, is a crucial water infrastructure managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 55 feet and spans 1520 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 7548 acre-feet. The dam controls the flow of Alfalfa Run Creek and serves as a vital resource for the agricultural community in the region.
With a high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Fruitgrowers Dam is subject to regular inspections and maintenance by the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has undergone modifications in 1986 to address seismic and structural concerns, and is equipped with slide and uncontrolled outlet gates for water release. Despite its age, Fruitgrowers Dam continues to play a key role in water management and irrigation in the area, highlighting the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of infrastructure like Fruitgrowers Dam in managing water supply and supporting agriculture is crucial. The dam's location in a region prone to drought and water scarcity underscores the need for efficient water management strategies to ensure the resilience of agricultural ecosystems in the face of climate challenges. By staying informed about the condition and maintenance of vital water structures like Fruitgrowers Dam, we can contribute to the sustainable use of water resources for future generations.
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 Fruitgrowers -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 43 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 594 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 886 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Delta | 100 cfs | → |
| N.F. Gunnison R Blw Leroux Cr | 643 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fruitgrowers.
Boat launches
- Shea Road Delta County
- Orchard Boat Launch
- South River Road Delta County
- Delta County
- Gunnison Forks
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
Campgrounds
- Cottonwood Grove Campground
- Blacker
- Entrada Bench (Across From Enhanted Camp)
- Enchanted Forest
- T Dyke
- Boulder Garden
Fishing spots
- Fruitgrowers Reservoir
- Confluence Lake
- Sweitzer Lake
- Gunnison River
- Porter Reservoir #1
- Porter Reservoir #4 (Little Davies)
Paddle runs
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 1
- Potter Creek
More reservoirs
Track Fruitgrowers 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 Fruitgrowers
Where does the data for Fruitgrowers 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 High 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 Fruitgrowers.