Rapid Creek #2 dam
Rapid Creek #2
Rapid Creek #2 is a private irrigation dam located in Mesa, Colorado, with a primary purpose of providing water for agricultural use. The dam, completed in 1946, stands at a height of 16 feet and has a storage capacity of 796 acre-feet. Situated on the Rapid Creek, this earth dam also serves as a recreational spot with a surface area of 84 acres.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition was rated as fair during the last inspection in June 2020. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, there are ongoing efforts to manage potential risks associated with the structure. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 15 feet, allowing for controlled water release in times of excess flow.
This essential water resource infrastructure in the region plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities along Rapid Creek. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, Rapid Creek #2 continues to be a vital component of water management and irrigation efforts in the area, contributing to the overall sustainability 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 Rapid Creek #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 | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 41 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 20 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rapid Creek #2.
Boat launches
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Z Road Delta County
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Corn Lake Boat Ramp
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- State Highway 141 Mesa County
Campgrounds
- Black Bear Cabin
- Moose Manor Cabin
- Jumbo Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Jumbo
- Spruce Grove - Mesa
- Spruce Grove Campground - Grand Valley Rd
Fishing spots
- Jumbo Reservoir (Grand Mesa)
- Sunset Lake
- Glacier Springs Retention Pond (Grand Mesa)
- Lost Lake (Grand Mesa
- South Mesa Lake
- Beaver Lake
Track Rapid Creek #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 Rapid Creek #2
Where does the data for Rapid Creek #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 Rapid Creek #2.