Big Sand Wash East dam
Big Sand Wash East
Big Sand Wash East is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Upalco, Utah. Constructed in 2006, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 44 feet and a structural height of 52 feet, with a length of 3000 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 16,900 acre-feet and primarily serves the purpose of irrigation for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, Big Sand Wash East is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its safety and functionality. With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam has been deemed safe for operation. The last inspection in September 2020 confirmed its structural integrity, and emergency action plans are in place to mitigate any potential risks.
Situated in Duchesne County, Utah, along the Big Sand Wash river, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With its significant storage capacity and vital irrigation function, Big Sand Wash East remains an essential infrastructure for maintaining water security in the area while mitigating potential risks associated with high hazard potential.
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 Big Sand Wash East -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duchesne River At Myton | 58 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Altonah | 290 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone R. At Bridge Campgrnd | 222 cfs | → |
| Duchesne River Near Tabiona | 97 cfs | → |
| Strawberry River Near Duchesne | 79 cfs | → |
| Duchesne R Ab Uinta R Near Randlett | 42 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Sand Wash East.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Starvation State Park
- Yellowstone Group Campground
- Yellowstone
- Yellowstone Campground
- Reservoir
- Reservoir Campground
Fishing spots
- Big Sand Wash Reservoir
- Lake Fork River
- Browns Draw Reservoir
- Starvation Reservoir
- Montes Creek Reservoir
- Reservoir Day Use Fishing Site
Track Big Sand Wash East 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 Big Sand Wash East
Where does the data for Big Sand Wash East 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 Big Sand Wash East.