Browns Draw dam
Browns Draw
Browns Draw, located in Duchesne County, Utah, is a privately owned irrigation dam that was completed in 1981. Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 81 feet and has a structural height of 89 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 7700 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 5901 acre-feet, Browns Draw serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition and undergoes regular inspections by the state regulatory agency. The dam is situated on a tributary to Cottonwood Creek, providing water for irrigation purposes in the region. With a maximum discharge capacity of 130 cubic feet per second, Browns Draw plays a vital role in managing water resources and ensuring agricultural needs are met in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, monitoring the condition and maintenance of dams like Browns Draw is essential to safeguarding water security and mitigating risks associated with potential hazards. By staying informed about the regulatory oversight, inspection schedules, and emergency preparedness measures in place for dams such as Browns Draw, enthusiasts can contribute to the sustainable management of water resources in the region and promote resilience in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Browns Draw -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uinta River Blw Powerplant Diversion Nr Neola | 159 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Altonah | 290 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone R. At Bridge Campgrnd | 222 cfs | → |
| Whiterocks River Near Whiterocks | 118 cfs | → |
| Duchesne River At Myton | 58 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 Browns Draw.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Uinta Canyon Campground
- Yellowstone
- Yellowstone Campground
- Uinta River Group Campground
- Wandin Campground
- Yellowstone Group Campground
Fishing spots
- Browns Draw Reservoir
- Big Sand Wash Reservoir
- Montes Creek Reservoir
- Reservoir Day Use Fishing Site
- Lake Fork River
- Bullock Draw Reservoir
Track Browns Draw 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 Browns Draw
Where does the data for Browns Draw 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 Browns Draw.