Starvation Canyon dam
Starvation Canyon
Starvation Canyon is a crucial water supply dam located in Blanding, Utah, along Johnson Creek. Constructed in 1985, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 60 feet, with a hydraulic height of 54 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 677 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 500 acre-feet. It serves as a primary source of water for the local government, highlighting its vital role in the region's water resource management.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, Starvation Canyon Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2012 rated it as fair. With a history of regular inspections and maintenance, the dam continues to provide reliable water storage and flood control benefits to the surrounding area, making it a significant asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices.
In the event of emergencies, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and readiness remain unclear, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and preparedness measures. As a critical infrastructure within the Sacramento District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Starvation Canyon Dam plays a key role in water supply operations and risk management in the region. With its strategic location and impact on the local water supply, the dam serves as a focal point for conservation efforts and climate resilience initiatives in the face of changing environmental 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 Starvation Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Recapture Creek Near Blanding | · | → |
| South Creek Above Reservoir Near Monticello | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Slick Rock | 11 cfs | → |
| San Juan River Near Bluff | 970 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Above Trail Canyon Near Cortez | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Starvation Canyon.
Track Starvation Canyon 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 Starvation Canyon
Where does the data for Starvation Canyon 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 Starvation Canyon.