Willow Lake dam
Willow Lake
Willow Lake, located in Sanpete County, Utah, is a privately owned water supply reservoir completed in 1978 by the USDA NRCS. With a storage capacity of 226 acre-feet, the dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a hydraulic height of 8 feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for water supply, serving the local community in FERRON and surrounding areas.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, Willow Lake is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. The dam has been classified as having a significant hazard potential, requiring inspections every two years. Despite not having a current condition assessment rating, the reservoir plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region and provides a reliable water source for agricultural and domestic use.
As a key structure in the Sacramento District, Willow Lake contributes to the overall water management efforts in Utah. With its strategic location and essential role in water supply, the reservoir serves as a vital resource for local communities and underscores the importance of sustainable water practices in the face of climate change and increasing water demand.
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 Willow Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ferron Creek (Upper Station) Near Ferron | 55 cfs | → |
| Ferron Cr Bl Millsite Res & Divs Nr Ferron | · | → |
| Muddy Creek Near Emery | 15 cfs | → |
| Manti Creek Below Dugway Creek | 21 cfs | → |
| Ephraim Tunnel Near Ephraim | 6 cfs | → |
| Salina Creek Near Emery | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Lake.
Boat launches
- Sanpete County
- Ferron Canyon Road Ferron
- Emery County
- Palisade Lake Road Sanpete County
- San Rafael River Put In
Campgrounds
- Willow Lake Fishing/Camping Area
- Willow Lake Campground
- Ferron Reservoir
- Ferron Reservoir Campground
- Indian Creek Guard Station
- Twelve Mile Flat Campground
Fishing spots
- Ferron Reservoir
- Duck Fork Reservoir
- Duck Fork Fishing Site
- Emery Reservoir
- Cove Lake
- Wrigley Reservoir Fishing Site
More reservoirs
Track Willow 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 Willow Lake
Where does the data for Willow 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 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 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 Willow Lake.