Ferron Debris Basin No. 4 dam
Ferron Debris Basin No. 4
Ferron Debris Basin No. 4, located in Emery, Utah, near the city of Ferron, is a vital structure designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the DIVERSION HOLLOW stream. Completed in 1970, this private-owned Earth dam stands at a structural height of 29 feet and a hydraulic height of 11 feet, with a length of 1290 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 61 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving as a crucial asset in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential hazards.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, Ferron Debris Basin No. 4 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. With a significant hazard potential, regular inspections are carried out every 3 years to assess its condition and ensure compliance with safety standards. While the structure's condition is currently not rated, its importance in flood control and risk management cannot be understated, highlighting its critical role in protecting the local community and environment. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the meticulous design and engineering behind this essential debris basin, showcasing the collaborative efforts of various agencies in safeguarding the region from potential water-related disasters.
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 Ferron Debris Basin No. 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ferron Cr Bl Millsite Res & Divs Nr Ferron | · | → |
| Ferron Creek (Upper Station) Near Ferron | 43 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Near Emery | 15 cfs | → |
| Ephraim Tunnel Near Ephraim | 5 cfs | → |
| Salina Creek Near Emery | 4 cfs | → |
| Manti Creek Below Dugway Creek | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ferron Debris Basin No. 4.
Boat launches
- Ferron Canyon Road Ferron
- Emery County
- Sanpete County
- San Rafael River Put In
- Palisade Lake Road Sanpete County
- San Rafael Boat Take Out
Campgrounds
- Millsite State Park
- Willow Lake Campground
- Willow Lake Fishing/Camping Area
- Cottonwood Canyon Campground
- New Joes Campground
- Joes Valley - Seely
Track Ferron Debris Basin No. 4 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 Ferron Debris Basin No. 4
Where does the data for Ferron Debris Basin No. 4 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 Ferron Debris Basin No. 4.