Gardner Lake dam
Gardner Lake
Gardner Lake, also known as Shadowlake or Ridges Pond No 3, is a captivating water resource nestled in Mesa County, Colorado. This local government-owned reservoir serves primarily as a water supply source, with a capacity of 70 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 70 acre-feet. Completed in 1980, this earth dam stands at 24 feet tall and spans 500 feet in length, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area while also offering recreational opportunities.
Located in Grand Junction, Gardner Lake is regulated by the State of Colorado, with the Division of Water Resources overseeing permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam, with a spillway width of 13 feet and a hydraulic height of 26 feet, has a significant hazard potential but is currently in fair condition. Although the reservoir covers a surface area of 4 acres and is fed by the Colorado River, its drainage area is listed as 0, highlighting its local impact on water resources and climate in the region.
With a moderate risk assessment rating, Gardner Lake's risk management measures and emergency action plan are integral to ensuring the safety and sustainability of this vital water source. Despite its relatively small size, this reservoir plays a crucial role in water supply and recreation for the community, reflecting the delicate balance between human needs and environmental preservation in the face of changing climate patterns. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, understanding and protecting resources like Gardner Lake is essential for a sustainable future.
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 Gardner Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 41 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2,820 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Gateway | 132 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gardner Lake.
Boat launches
- Redlands Dam River Access
- Eagle Rim Trail Grand Junction
- Corn Lake Boat Ramp
- Mesa County
- Whitewater Boat Launch
- State Highway 141 Mesa County
Campgrounds
- Saddlehorn Campground
- Saddlehorn - Colorado National Monument
- Fruita - Colorado River State Park
- Mud Springs A4
- Mud Springs A3
- Mud Springs A2
Fishing spots
Track Gardner Lake 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 Gardner Lake
Where does the data for Gardner Lake 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 Significant 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 Gardner Lake.