Blue Mesa Dam, Colorado, USA

Home / USA / Colorado / Blue Mesa Dam

Quick Facts About Blue Mesa Dam

Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Coordinates: 38.4533, -107.3342
River: Gunnison River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1965
Dam Height: 390 ft (119 m)
Dam Length: 785 ft (239 m)
Dam Capacity: 940,700 acre-ft (1,160,335 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Blue Mesa Dam Map

Here is a map of Blue Mesa Dam with satellite imagery. You can zoom in and out, toggle full screen mode and even enter street view directly from the map.

Blue Mesa Dam Information

Blue Mesa Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 74 miles from Austin, Gunnison, Colorado.

The dam, which is on the Gunnison River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Irrigation, Recreation and Hydroelectric benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1965 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Blue Mesa Dam Structure

The Blue Mesa Dam is approximately 785 feet (239 m) long, 390 feet (119 m) high and has a structural volume of 3,080,000 cubic yards (2,354,829 cubic metres).

Blue Mesa Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 748,430 acre-ft (923,173 Ml) and maximum capacity of 940,700 acre-ft (1,160,335 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 9,180 acres (3,715 ha) and the total catchment area is 3,470 square miles (8,987 square kilometres).

Blue Mesa Dam Spillway

The dam has a 50 feet (15 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 33800 cubic feet per second (957 cubic metres per second).

Blue Mesa Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Blue Mesa Dam
Gunnison, Colorado
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 390 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 785 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 940,700 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 3,470 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Blue Mesa Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Blue Mesa Dam

Failed to fetch current weather data.

7-Day Forecast for Blue Mesa Dam

Failed to fetch weather forecast data.

Blue Mesa Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Blue Mesa Dam?

Blue Mesa Dam is in Colorado.

In which county is the Blue Mesa Dam?

Blue Mesa Dam is in Gunnison County.

How high is the Blue Mesa Dam?

Blue Mesa Dam is 390 feet high.

How long is the Blue Mesa Dam?

Blue Mesa Dam is 785 feet long.

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

Generated by MPG