Hartman Retention dam
Hartman Retention
Hartman Retention, located in Grand Junction, Colorado, is a crucial water resource infrastructure owned by the local government. Completed in 1957, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Colorado River. With a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and a spillway width of 45 feet, Hartman Retention plays a vital role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding areas from potential flooding.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Hartman Retention has a moderate risk assessment, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The dam's condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated," with the last inspection conducted in April 2002. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is important for authorities to ensure that emergency action plans are up to date and in compliance with guidelines to mitigate any potential risks effectively. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Hartman Retention in safeguarding the local community and environment from flooding events.
In the picturesque landscape of Mesa County, Colorado, Hartman Retention stands as a testament to engineering excellence in water resource management. As part of the comprehensive network of infrastructure along the Colorado River, this retention structure plays a critical role in balancing water storage, flood control, and environmental protection. With its strategic location and design features, including a stone core and uncontrolled spillway, Hartman Retention represents a blend of functionality and resilience in the face of changing climate patterns. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate adaptation can find inspiration in the enduring presence of Hartman Retention as a guardian of the local ecosystem.
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 Hartman Retention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,930 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 54 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 3,290 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 4,410 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hartman Retention.
Boat launches
- Eagle Rim Trail Grand Junction
- Corn Lake Boat Ramp
- Redlands Dam River Access
- Whitewater Boat Launch
- State Highway 141 Mesa County
- Mesa County
Campgrounds
- Low Gap Rec Site
- Island Acres - James M. Robb - Colorado River State Park
- Saddlehorn - Colorado National Monument
- Saddlehorn Campground
- Fruita - Colorado River State Park
- Unaweep Rim Camp 1
Fishing spots
Track Hartman Retention 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 Hartman Retention
Where does the data for Hartman Retention 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 Hartman Retention.