Leach Creek Detention Basin
Leach Creek Detention Basin is an earth dam located in Mesa County, Colorado, built in 2015. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Leach Creek Detention Basin
The primary purpose of Leach Creek Detention Basin is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Grand Junction (public utility). It impounds the Leach Creek near Grand Junction.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 1,438 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 667 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 2015, the structure is relatively new.
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 04/20/2021.
At 39 feet, this dam is taller than 86% 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 | Grand Junction |
| River/Stream | Leach Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.15897, -108.54173 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,438 ft |
| Year Completed | 2015 (11 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 667 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 667 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 248 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 25,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/20/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02991 |
| Federal ID | CO02991 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |