Paonia Dam

Paonia Dam Quick Facts

Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Coordinates: 38.9419, -107.3523
River: Colorado River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1961
Dam Height: 199 ft (61 m)
Dam Length: 770 ft (235 m)
Dam Capacity: 23,230 acre-ft (28,654 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Paonia Dam Map

Paonia Dam Information

Paonia Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 7 miles from Somerset, Gunnison, Colorado.

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

The dam was designed by US Bureau of Reclamation and commissioned in 1961 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Paonia Dam Structure

The Paonia Dam is approximately 770 feet (235 m) long, 199 feet (61 m) high and has a structural volume of 1,302,000 cubic yards (995,451 cubic metres).

Paonia Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 17,461 acre-ft (21,538 Ml) and maximum capacity of 23,230 acre-ft (28,654 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 357 acres (144 ha) and the total catchment area is 255 square miles (660 square kilometres).

Paonia Dam Spillway

The dam has a 30 feet (9 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 12500 cubic feet per second (354 cubic metres per second).

Paonia Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Paonia Dam
Gunnison, Colorado
Height (ft)
199
Length (Ft)
770
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
23,230
Drainage Area (sq miles)
255
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Paonia Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Paonia Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 17:48
Sunrise 06:49
Sunset 16:57
Temperature (°F) 31
Feels Like (°F) 28
Cloud Coverage (%) 100
Pressure (inHg) 1014
Humidity (%) 86
Wind Speed (mph) 4
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Paonia Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 27 43 38 1006 45 15 26 WSW 100 - snow
Wed 19 42 38 1025 47 5 5 E 60 - light snow
Thu 27 52 49 1017 33 5 7 ENE 0 - clear sky
Fri 30 54 47 1004 30 15 48 WSW 0 - broken clouds
Sat 28 41 37 1010 41 6 13 WSW 0 - scattered clouds
Sun 28 46 45 1012 37 4 5 WSW 0 - few clouds
Mon 28 36 30 1004 81 6 9 WSW 100 - light snow
Tue 19 29 24 1011 71 9 11 NNW 100 - snow

Paonia Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Paonia Dam?

Paonia Dam is in Colorado.

In which county is the Paonia Dam?

Paonia Dam is in Gunnison County.

How high is the Paonia Dam?

Paonia Dam is 199 feet high.

How long is the Paonia Dam?

Paonia Dam is 770 feet long.

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More Dams in Gunnison County:

Blue Mesa Dam
Paonia Dam
Silver Jack Dam
Taylor Park Dam

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

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