Blue Lake dam
Blue Lake
Blue Lake is a privately owned irrigation reservoir located in Beaver, Utah, along the South Fork of North Creek. Constructed in 1925 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 37 feet and has a hydraulic height of 27 feet, providing a storage capacity of 578 acre-feet for agricultural purposes. The dam has a significant hazard potential and is regulated by the Utah Division of Water Rights, with regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated in a picturesque location within the Beaver County, Blue Lake serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, with a normal storage capacity of 478 acre-feet. Despite not having a condition assessment, the dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in September 2019. With its strategic location and historical significance, Blue Lake continues to play a crucial role in sustaining irrigation activities and water management in the region, highlighting the delicate balance between water resource utilization and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the intricate details of Blue Lake, they are drawn to its rich history, engineering design, and regulatory oversight. The dam's association with the USDA NRCS and its location along the South Fork of North Creek add to its allure, while its role in irrigation and water storage demonstrates the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its significant hazard potential and state-regulated status, Blue Lake stands as a testament to the complex interplay between human intervention, natural resources, and climate influences, underscoring the need for careful stewardship of water resources 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 Blue Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver River Near Beaver | 23 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Above Diversions | 17 cfs | → |
| Sevier River Near Kingston | 9 cfs | → |
| East Fork Sevier River Near Kingston | 211 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Adamsville | 1 cfs | → |
| Seven Mile Creek Near Fish Lake | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Lake.
Campgrounds
- Bullion Pasture Trailhead
- Bosman-Big John Flat Trailhead
- Big John's Cua Dispersed
- Indian Creek Cua Dispersed
- Bullion Falls Trail System
- Lake Stream Trailhead
Fishing spots
- Anderson Meadow Rec Site
- Manning Meadows Cua Dispersed
- Corn Creek
- Meadow Creek
- Lakeside Fish Cleaning Station Cua Dispersed
- Joe Bush Fisherman Parking Rec Site
Paddle runs
Track Blue 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 Blue Lake
Where does the data for Blue 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 Significant 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 Blue Lake.