Chepeta Lake dam
Chepeta Lake
Chepeta Lake, located in Duchesne, Utah, is a privately owned water resource regulated by the Utah Division of Water Rights. Built in 1944 for irrigation purposes, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 42 feet, with a hydraulic height of 35 feet and a total length of 1670 feet. The reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of 2910 acre-feet and serves as a crucial water source for the surrounding area, drawing from the Whiterocks River.
With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Chepeta Lake is subject to regular inspections by state regulatory agencies to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam poses a risk of inundation, prompting the need for emergency action plans (EAP) to be prepared and updated as necessary. The last inspection took place in June 2020, with a frequency of 1 year for assessments. While the risk management measures and guidelines for EAPs are not specified in the data, the dam's critical role in irrigation highlights the importance of maintaining its integrity for water supply and climate resilience.
Despite its private ownership, Chepeta Lake plays a vital role in supporting agricultural activities and water management in the region. With its strategic location on the Whiterocks River and a history dating back to the mid-20th century, this reservoir stands as a testament to the ingenuity and necessity of water infrastructure in sustaining communities and ecosystems. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance and maintenance of structures like Chepeta Lake is essential for safeguarding our water supply and adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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, environmental 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.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Chepeta Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whiterocks River Near Whiterocks | 121 cfs | → |
| Uinta River Blw Powerplant Diversion Nr Neola | 122 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone R. At Bridge Campgrnd | 104 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Near Manila | 12 cfs | → |
| Ashley Cr Abv Sp Nr Vernal Ut | 4 cfs | → |
| Ashley Creek Near Vernal | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chepeta Lake.
Boat launches
- Long Park Reservoir Trail Daggett County
- Forest Road 009 Daggett County
- Ute Mountain Trail Daggett County
- Forest Road 145; Us Highway Fs Road 145 Daggett County
- Anvil Draw Boat Launch Area
- Cedar Springs Boating Ramp
Campgrounds
- Spirit Lake Campground
- Pole Creek Lake Campground
- Paradise Guard Station
- Hoop Lake
- Hoop Lake Campground
- Browne Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source To Hoop Lake Diversion
- Beaver Lake To Wilderness Boundary
- Uinta River (Uinta Valley Campground To Power Plant)
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Beaver Creek
More reservoirs
Track Chepeta Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Chepeta Lake
Where does the data for Chepeta Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Chepeta Lake.