Grassy Lake dam
Grassy Lake
Grassy Lake, located in Orangeville, Utah, is a federal-owned reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. Built in 1945 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at 18 feet high and spans 620 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 190 acre-feet, it serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding agricultural land, with a normal storage level of 132 acre-feet.
Situated on Little Creek, Grassy Lake boasts a surface area of 11 acres and a drainage area of 0.5 square miles. Despite its relatively small size, the reservoir plays a crucial role in water management in the region. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Grassy Lake is a key component of the local water infrastructure, providing essential water supply for irrigation while maintaining a safe and reliable operation.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Grassy Lake has not been recently inspected, but its condition is reported as "Not Available." With a valve outlet gate and an uncontrolled spillway, the reservoir is equipped to handle potential overflow events. While lacking specific details on emergency action plans and risk management measures, Grassy Lake remains a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices.
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 Grassy Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ephraim Tunnel Near Ephraim | 7 cfs | → |
| Manti Creek Below Dugway Creek | 20 cfs | → |
| Ferron Creek (Upper Station) Near Ferron | 42 cfs | → |
| Ferron Cr Bl Millsite Res & Divs Nr Ferron | · | → |
| Muddy Creek Near Emery | 15 cfs | → |
| Fairview Tunnel Near Fairview | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Grassy Lake.
Boat launches
- Emery County
- Sanpete County
- Ferron Canyon Road Ferron
- Palisade Lake Road Sanpete County
- San Rafael River Put In
Campgrounds
- Orange Olsen Dwelling
- Orange Olsen Cabin
- Joes Valley Pavilion Group Campground
- Upper Joes Valley Campground
- Joes Valley Campground
- Joes Valley - Seely
Track Grassy 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 Grassy Lake
Where does the data for Grassy 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 Low 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 Grassy Lake.