Unocal Storage Pond #3 dam
Unocal Storage Pond #3
Unocal Storage Pond #3, located in Garfield, Colorado, is a privately owned water storage facility designed by Union Oil. Completed in 1989, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 21 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this pond is for tailings storage, with a normal storage level of 28 acre-feet.
This low hazard potential facility has a spillway width of 100 feet and is equipped with uncontrolled spillway type. The dam has a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a structural height of 21 feet, with a length of 1850 feet. While it has not been inspected since November 1995, the risk assessment for Unocal Storage Pond #3 is considered to be moderate (3).
Overall, Unocal Storage Pond #3 serves as a vital water resource infrastructure in the Parachute Creek area, providing essential storage for tailings disposal. With its relatively low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, this facility plays a crucial role in managing water resources and maintaining environmental sustainability in the region.
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 Unocal Storage Pond #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 3,400 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 38 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 8 cfs | → |
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 1,890 cfs | → |
| West Divide Creek Near Raven | 45 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek Bl Ryan Gulch | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Unocal Storage Pond #3.
Boat launches
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 121 Mesa County
- Big Creek Reservoir Boat Launch Grand Valley Rd
Campgrounds
- Sage Campground
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Cedar Campground
- Cedar Mountain Camp
- Oak Point - Vega State Park
- Early Settlers - Vega State Park
Fishing spots
- Jerry Creek Reservoirs
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- De Camp Reservoir
- Vega Reservoir
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Neversweat Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Unocal Storage Pond #3 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 Unocal Storage Pond #3
Where does the data for Unocal Storage Pond #3 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 Unocal Storage Pond #3.