Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs) dam
Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs)
Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs) is a Federal-owned earth dam located in Helper, Utah, along Gooseberry Creek. Completed in 1937, the dam serves primarily for recreation and fish and wildlife pond purposes. With a height of 23 feet and a length of 520 feet, it has a storage capacity of 820 acre-feet and a surface area of 52 acres. The dam is regulated by the Utah Division of Water Rights and is inspected and enforced by the Forest Service.
Despite its historical significance, Gooseberry (Lower) Dam is currently rated as having a poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential. The dam underwent structural modifications in 1990, but its overall risk assessment remains moderate. The spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 20 feet, and the dam's maximum discharge capacity is 3,348 cubic feet per second. The dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are not documented, highlighting a potential area for improvement in ensuring public safety and environmental protection.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs) as a vital piece of infrastructure in the water management system of Sanpete County, Utah. The dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also supports the local fish and wildlife population. However, its current condition and hazard potential underscore the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and the development of comprehensive emergency response plans to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and ecosystems.
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 Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fairview Tunnel Near Fairview | 5 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek Above Reservoir | 3 cfs | → |
| Mud Creek Bl Winter Quarters Canyon At Scofield | 10 cfs | → |
| White River Bl Tabbyune C Near Soldier Summit | 4 cfs | → |
| Salt Crk Blw Nephi Powerplant Div | 8 cfs | → |
| Diamond Fork Above Red Hollow | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs).
Campgrounds
- Gooseberry Reservoir Campground
- Gooseberry Reservoir
- Mammoth Dwelling
- Mammoth Cabin
- Gooseberry Campground
- Gooseberry
Fishing spots
- Gooseberry Reservoir
- Lower Gooseberry Reservoir
- Beaver Dam Reservoir Fishing Site
- Fairview Lakes
- Boulger Reservoir Fishing Site
- Upper Huntington Creek
Paddle runs
Track Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs) 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 Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs)
Where does the data for Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs) 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 Significant 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 Gooseberry (Lower) Dam (Fs).