Big Battlement dam
Big Battlement
Big Battlement, also known as Battlement #2, is a local government-owned dam located in Cedaredge, Colorado. This earth dam, completed in 1949, serves primarily for water supply purposes, including irrigation. It stands at a height of 23 feet with a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a structural height of 32 feet, containing a maximum storage capacity of 1160 acre-feet and a normal storage of 780 acre-feet.
Situated along the Dirty George Creek, Big Battlement has a surface area of 52 acres and a drainage area of 1 square mile. With a spillway type of uncontrolled and a high hazard potential, this dam has a fair condition assessment as of August 2020. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
Overall, Big Battlement plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, providing essential water supply for agricultural and municipal needs. Its historical significance, coupled with its design and operational features, make it a noteworthy structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate in the context of sustainable water management practices.
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 Big Battlement -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 39 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 35 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 8 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 819 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 38 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Delta | 100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Battlement.
Boat launches
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Z Road Delta County
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
Campgrounds
- Island Lake
- Island Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Spruce Grove Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Little Bear Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Spruce Grove - Mesa
- Jumbo
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- Roubideau Creek Segment 1
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Potter Creek
More reservoirs
Track Big Battlement 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 Big Battlement
Where does the data for Big Battlement 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 Big Battlement.