Wigwam dam
Wigwam
Wigwam is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Whiterocks, Duchesne County, Utah, along the Whiterocks River. Built in 1936, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 11 feet and a structural height of 14 feet, with a length of 195 feet. It provides a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet for irrigation purposes, with a normal storage level of 110 acre-feet. Despite its age, Wigwam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, Wigwam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam has not undergone any significant modifications or assessments in recent years, with its last inspection dating back to July 2003. While an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has not been prepared for Wigwam, the dam meets low-risk guidelines. With its location in a rural area and minimal associated structures, Wigwam remains a crucial resource for agricultural water management in the region.
With its historical significance and continued functionality in serving the irrigation needs of the surrounding area, Wigwam stands as a testament to the enduring importance of water resource management in the face of changing climates. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, the data on Wigwam provides insight into the infrastructure supporting sustainable water usage in Utah, highlighting the collaboration between private ownership and state regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and efficiency of crucial water structures like Wigwam.
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 Wigwam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whiterocks River Near Whiterocks | 121 cfs | → |
| Uinta River Blw Powerplant Diversion Nr Neola | 122 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Near Manila | 12 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone R. At Bridge Campgrnd | 104 cfs | → |
| Ashley Cr Abv Sp Nr Vernal Ut | 4 cfs | → |
| Ashley Creek Near Vernal | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wigwam.
Boat launches
- Long Park Reservoir Trail Daggett County
- Forest Road 009 Daggett County
- Ute Mountain Trail Daggett County
- Forest Road 145; Us Highway Fs Road 145 Daggett County
- Anvil Draw Boat Launch Area
- Cedar Springs Boating Ramp
Campgrounds
- Spirit Lake Campground
- Pole Creek Lake Campground
- Hoop Lake
- Hoop Lake Campground
- Paradise Guard Station
- Browne Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source To Hoop Lake Diversion
- Beaver Lake To Wilderness Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Beaver Creek
- Uinta River (Uinta Valley Campground To Power Plant)
More reservoirs
Track Wigwam 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 Wigwam
Where does the data for Wigwam 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 Wigwam.