Forsyth dam
Forsyth
Forsyth is a private irrigation dam located in Sevier, Utah, along U M Creek. Constructed in 1922 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 65 feet and has a hydraulic height of 55 feet. With a storage capacity of 5,670 acre-feet, Forsyth serves the primary purpose of irrigation for the surrounding area. The dam is state-regulated by the Utah Division of Water Rights, ensuring proper inspection, enforcement, and permitting processes are in place.
Despite its age, Forsyth is in satisfactory condition and has a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam spans 355 feet in length and has a drainage area of 73.9 square miles, with a maximum discharge of 209 cubic feet per second. The dam's spillway width is 44 feet, providing a crucial safety feature in case of overflow events. With its location in a region prone to climate variability and water resource challenges, Forsyth plays a vital role in supporting agricultural activities and water management efforts in the area.
As a key infrastructure for irrigation in Sevier, Utah, Forsyth represents a crucial piece of the water resource management system in the region. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, the dam serves as a symbol of the intersection between human intervention in natural water systems and the need for sustainable water use practices. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Forsyth offers a fascinating case study in the development, regulation, and maintenance of essential water infrastructure in an arid environment like Utah.
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 Forsyth -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Mile Creek Near Fish Lake | 6 cfs | → |
| Fremont River Near Bicknell | 54 cfs | → |
| Salina Creek Near Emery | 4 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Near Emery | 16 cfs | → |
| East Fork Sevier River Near Kingston | 198 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Above Diversions | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forsyth.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Elkhorn
- Cathedral Valley - Capitol Reef National Park
- Cathedral Valley Campsite
- Cathedral Valley Primitive Campground
- Paiute Campground
- Bowery Creek Campground
Fishing spots
- Forsyth Reservoir Boat Ramp Rec Site
- Mill Meadow Reservoir Boat Ramp Rec Site
- Johnson Reservoir Rec Site
- Joe Bush Fisherman Parking Rec Site
- Lakeside Fish Cleaning Station Cua Dispersed
- Salina Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Forsyth 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 Forsyth
Where does the data for Forsyth 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 Forsyth.