Big Sand Wash Dam dam
Big Sand Wash Dam
Big Sand Wash Dam, located in Upalco, Utah, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Utah Division of Water Rights. Constructed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 134 feet and a structural height of 142 feet, with a storage capacity of 26,500 acre-feet for irrigation purposes. The dam spans 920 feet in length and is situated on the Big Sand Wash River, with a drainage area of 26.64 square miles.
Managed by the primary owner, the dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. With a history of state inspection, enforcement, and permitting, the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years. Despite its age, the structure continues to serve its purpose efficiently, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area. The dam's location in Duchesne County and its association with CH2MHILL as the designer add to its significance in the water resource management landscape.
Overall, Big Sand Wash Dam is a key infrastructure in Utah's water management system, ensuring the reliable supply of water for irrigation in the region. With its robust construction and regular inspections, the dam stands as a testament to effective engineering and maintenance practices. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the intricacies of structures like Big Sand Wash Dam is crucial for promoting sustainable water use and conservation efforts in the face of changing climate 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 Big Sand Wash Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duchesne River At Myton | 124 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Altonah | 197 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone R. At Bridge Campgrnd | 136 cfs | → |
| Duchesne River Near Tabiona | 103 cfs | → |
| Strawberry River Near Duchesne | 111 cfs | → |
| Duchesne R Ab Uinta R Near Randlett | 141 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Sand Wash Dam.
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 Dam 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 Dam
Where does the data for Big Sand Wash Dam 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 Dam.