Rattlesnake Ranch No.2 (Lower) Dam
Rattlesnake Ranch No.2 (Lower)
Rattlesnake Ranch No.2 (Lower) is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Moab, Utah, along the Coyote Wash river. Built in 1972, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 37 feet and a structural height of 43 feet, with a length of 780 feet. It has a storage capacity of 420 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 377 acre-feet, serving the primary purpose of irrigation for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, this dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance. With a significant hazard potential, it undergoes inspections every two years to assess its condition and any necessary maintenance or improvements. The last inspection was conducted in October 2020, with the condition assessment marked as "Not Rated."
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rattlesnake Ranch No.2 (Lower) provides a fascinating example of how private dams play a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in arid regions like Utah. Its location, design, and operational details offer insights into the intricate network of water management infrastructure that sustains the local ecosystem and economy. As efforts to address climate change intensify, understanding and monitoring such dams become increasingly vital to ensure water security and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Rattlesnake Ranch No.2 (Lower) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek At Sheley Tunnel | 3 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Below Sheley Tunnel | 3 cfs | → |
| Dolores River At Bedrock | 0 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Blw Pack Creek Nr Mouth At Moab | 1 cfs | → |
| Colorado River At Potash | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Bedrock | 2 cfs | → |
About Rattlesnake Ranch No.2 (Lower)
Where does the data for Rattlesnake Ranch No.2 (Lower) 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 below 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.
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.