Big Elk Lake dam
Big Elk Lake
Located in the picturesque city of Woodland, Utah, Big Elk Lake is a privately owned fish and wildlife pond that serves as a haven for aquatic life in the region. Built in 1914, this Earth dam stands at a structural height of 29 feet and has a hydraulic height of 10.5 feet, providing a storage capacity of 450 acre-feet. Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, Big Elk Lake is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Surrounded by the beauty of Summit County, Utah, Big Elk Lake is a vital resource for the local ecosystem, offering a surface area that supports a diverse range of wildlife. With a drainage area of 1 square mile and a maximum discharge capacity, this water body plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam undergoes regular inspections every five years to assess its condition and ensure the safety of the community.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change will appreciate Big Elk Lake for its contribution to the conservation of fish and wildlife in the region. With a primary purpose of serving as a fish and wildlife pond, this water body not only enhances the natural habitat but also provides recreational opportunities for visitors. As a well-maintained and state-regulated facility, Big Elk Lake stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Elk Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Provo River Near Woodland | 770 cfs | → |
| Weber River Near Oakley | 689 cfs | → |
| Provo River Near Hailstone | 739 cfs | → |
| Weber River Near Peoa | 729 cfs | → |
| Weber River Near Wanship | 159 cfs | → |
| Provo River At River Road Bridge | 141 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Elk Lake.
Boat launches
- Rock Cliff Boat Ramp
- State Route 319 Wasatch County
- Forest Service Road Wasatch County
- Deer Creek State Park- Charleston Day Use Area
- State Route 314 Wasatch County
Campgrounds
- Washington Lake
- Washington Lake Campground
- Ledgefork
- Ledgefork Campground
- Trial Lake
- Shingle Creek Atv Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Upper Provo Falls
- Upper Slate Gorge
- Source To Mouth
- Source To Nf Boundary
- Source To Holiday Park
- Trial Lake To U35 Bridge
More reservoirs
Track Big Elk 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 Big Elk Lake
Where does the data for Big Elk 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 Low 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 Elk Lake.