Big Wash Flood Control dam
Big Wash Flood Control
Located in Milford, Utah, the Big Wash Flood Control structure was completed in 1961 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. This earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 39 feet and a structural height of 49 feet, spanning a length of 6465 feet along the Big Wash river. With a drainage area of 63 square miles, the dam has a storage capacity of 1700 acre-feet, providing vital protection for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, the Big Wash Flood Control structure is regulated and inspected by state authorities to ensure its effectiveness in mitigating flood risks. With a significant hazard potential, the dam is designated as not rated in terms of condition assessment, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Despite not being owned or funded by federal agencies, the local government takes responsibility for the operation and enforcement of this critical flood control infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Big Wash Flood Control structure serves as a vital component in safeguarding the Beaver County, Utah, area from potential flooding events. With its strategic location and design, this earth dam plays a crucial role in reducing flood risks and protecting the community from the impacts of extreme weather events. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and functionality of this infrastructure, the Big Wash Flood Control exemplifies the importance of proactive flood risk management in vulnerable regions.
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 Big Wash Flood Control -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver River At Adamsville | 1 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Beaver | 25 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Above Diversions | 26 cfs | → |
| Sevier River Near Kingston | 9 cfs | → |
| East Fork Sevier River Near Kingston | 196 cfs | → |
| Coal Creek Near Cedar City | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Wash Flood Control.
Campgrounds
- Lions Club Rv Park - Milford
- Rock Corral
- Minersville State Park
- Beaver Office Interpretive (Dispersed Camping)
- Little Cottonwood Campground
- Indian Creek Cua Dispersed
Fishing spots
- Anderson Meadow Rec Site
- Corn Creek
- Sevier River
- Beaver River Reservoir
- Meadow Creek
- Manning Meadows Cua Dispersed
Paddle runs
Track Big Wash Flood Control 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 Big Wash Flood Control
Where does the data for Big Wash Flood Control 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 Big Wash Flood Control.