Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S) dam
Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S)
Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer's) dam, located in Holladay, Utah, plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction along Big Cottonwood Creek. Constructed in 1984, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 31 feet and a hydraulic height of 26 feet, with a storage capacity of 132 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction and is regulated by the Utah Division of Water Rights, ensuring that it undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to maintain its functionality.
With a drainage area of 48.3 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1030 cubic feet per second, Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer's) dam is designed to mitigate the high hazard potential associated with flooding in the region. The dam's fair condition assessment and inspection frequency of every two years demonstrate its ongoing commitment to safety and risk management. Although the dam does not have an emergency action plan in place currently, its strategic location and design contribute significantly to the protection of downstream communities and infrastructure from potential flooding events.
As a vital infrastructure owned by the local government, Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer's) dam stands as a testament to proactive flood risk reduction efforts in the area. With its modest height and storage capacity, the dam serves as a critical line of defense against flooding along Big Cottonwood Creek, safeguarding residents and properties in Salt Lake County, Utah.
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 Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Cottonwood Creek @ Jordan River Nr Slc | 29 cfs | → |
| Surplus Canal @ Salt Lake City | 236 cfs | → |
| Jordan River @ 1700 South @ Salt Lake City | 141 cfs | → |
| Red Butte Creek At Fort Douglas | 1 cfs | → |
| American Fk Ab Upper Powerplant Nr American Fk | 34 cfs | → |
| Mcleod Creek Near Park City | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S).
Boat launches
- Oquirrh Lake Boat Ramp
- Redwood Road Salt Lake City
- Jordan River Drive 1328, North Salt Lake
- Bountiful Lake
- State Route 319 Wasatch County
- Deer Creek State Park- Charleston Day Use Area
Campgrounds
- Tanners Flat Campground
- Tanners Flat
- Jordan Pines Group Campground
- Spruces Campground
- Spruces
- Camp Kostopulos
Fishing spots
- Lake Lillian
- Lake Florence
- Mill Canyon Fishing Dock And Boardwalk
- Lake Desolation
- Lake Solitude
- Silver Lake
Track Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S) 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 Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S)
Where does the data for Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S) 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 Salt Lake Co.-Big Cottonwood (Spencer`S).