Calder (Zelph) dam
Calder (Zelph)
Calder (Zelph) is a state-owned dam located in Uintah, Utah, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1989, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 45 feet and a structural height of 50 feet, with a total length of 374 feet. It has a storage capacity of 2600 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1600 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 35 square miles.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, Calder (Zelph) is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a significant hazard potential, the dam undergoes inspections every two years, the last one being in September 2019. While its condition is marked as "Not Rated," the dam remains a crucial structure in the region for water resource management.
Situated along Pot Creek and under the jurisdiction of the Omaha District, Calder (Zelph) plays a vital role in supporting agricultural activities in the area. With its strategic location and operational efficiency, the dam serves as a key component in the water infrastructure network of Utah, ensuring sustainable irrigation practices and water resource utilization for the community.
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 Calder (Zelph) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Green River Near Greendale | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Big Brush Creek Abv Red Fleet Res | 16 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Jensen | 4,550 cfs | → |
| Ashley Cr Abv Sp Nr Vernal Ut | 4 cfs | → |
| Ashley Creek Near Vernal | 83 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Near Manila | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Calder (Zelph).
Boat launches
- Little Swallow Overlook Daggett County
- Swallow Canyon Boat Ramp
- Swallow Canyon Road Daggett County
- Moffat County
- Indian Crossing Boat Ramp
- Pond Canal Road Daggett County
Campgrounds
- Rye Grass Campsite
- Big Tree Campsite
- Little Swallow Campsite 2
- Little Swallow Campsite 1
- Island View Campsite
- Lone Tree Campsite And Boat Ramp
Track Calder (Zelph) 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 Calder (Zelph)
Where does the data for Calder (Zelph) 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 Calder (Zelph).