Parker Basin #3
Parker Basin #3 is an earth dam located in Mesa County, Colorado, built in 1899. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Parker Basin #3
The primary purpose of Parker Basin #3 is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Cottonwood Res Company (currier, President, Carlyl (private). It impounds the Cottonwood Creek near Molina.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 579 acre-feet. Completed in 1899, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/21/2021.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Colorado dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Mesa |
| Nearest City | Molina |
| River/Stream | Cottonwood Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.10167, -107.95724 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
| Year Completed | 1899 (127 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 579 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 579 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Max Discharge | 4,122 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | COTTONWOOD RES COMPANY (CURRIER, PRESIDENT, CARLYL |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/21/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00834 |
| Federal ID | CO00834 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |