Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns) dam
Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns)
Oak Creek, also known as Upper Bowns, is a private water resource located in Garfield County, Utah. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this structure serves primarily for irrigation purposes and was completed in 1918. With a hydraulic height of 40 feet and a structural height of 45 feet, Oak Creek has a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 915 acre-feet.
Situated in the city of Hanksville, Oak Creek spans a length of 457 feet and has a drainage area of 2.5 square miles. The dam has a high hazard potential and is classified as being in fair condition. The Utah Division of Water Rights regulates and inspects Oak Creek, ensuring its safe operation and compliance with state regulations. With a maximum discharge capacity of 68 cubic feet per second, Oak Creek plays a crucial role in providing water for agricultural activities in the region.
Despite its age, Oak Creek continues to be a vital water resource for the community, contributing to the sustainability of local agriculture. With its long history and significant storage capacity, Oak Creek stands as a testament to the importance of water management in the face of changing climate conditions. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Oak Creek to be a fascinating example of how infrastructure can adapt and endure over the years to meet the needs of its users.
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 Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fremont River Near Bicknell | 62 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Near Escalante | 1 cfs | → |
| Escalante River Near Escalante | 0 cfs | → |
| Seven Mile Creek Near Fish Lake | 6 cfs | → |
| East Fork Sevier River Near Kingston | 198 cfs | → |
| Sevier River Near Kingston | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns).
Campgrounds
- Upper Pleasant Creek Campground
- Pleasant Creek
- Lower Bowns Campground
- Lower Bowns
- Singletree
- Singletree Campground
Fishing spots
Track Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns) 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 Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns)
Where does the data for Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns) 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 Oak Creek (A.K.A. Upper Bowns).