Grand Mesa #8
Grand Mesa #8 is an earth dam located in Mesa County, Colorado, built in 1901. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Grand Mesa #8
The primary purpose of Grand Mesa #8 is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Grand Mesa Reservoir Co. (private). It impounds the Kannah Creek near Whitewater.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 570 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 37 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 678 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1901, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 07/21/2021.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Mesa |
| Nearest City | Whitewater |
| River/Stream | Kannah Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.04167, -108.05057 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 570 ft |
| Year Completed | 1901 (125 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 678 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 678 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 384 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 37 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 830 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | GRAND MESA RESERVOIR CO. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/21/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00827 |
| Federal ID | CO00827 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |