Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam dam
Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam
The Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam in Uintah, Utah, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Utah Division of Water Rights. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 220 feet and a structural height of 230 feet, with a length of 540 feet. It has a capacity of 3400 acre-feet and drains to Big Brushy Creek, making it a crucial component of the local water resource management system.
Despite being designated as "Significant" in terms of hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated as of the last inspection in November 2020. The dam is subject to regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement by the Utah Division of Water Rights, ensuring its compliance with safety regulations. With its proximity to the tributaries of Big Brushy Creek, this dam plays a vital role in water storage and management for the surrounding area, making it of interest to water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
As an integral part of the water infrastructure in Uintah, Utah, the Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam represents a significant engineering achievement in water storage and management. Its design, construction, and regulation by state authorities underscore the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures to ensure the safety and security of water resources in the region. For those passionate about water resource management and climate resilience, the Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam serves as a noteworthy example of the critical role that dams play in maintaining water supply and mitigating environmental risk.
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 Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Brush Creek Abv Red Fleet Res | 15 cfs | → |
| Ashley Cr Abv Sp Nr Vernal Ut | 4 cfs | → |
| Ashley Creek Near Vernal | 83 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Jensen | 4,080 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Greendale | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Whiterocks River Near Whiterocks | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam.
Boat launches
- Desert Voices Trail Uintah County
- Uintah County
- Spillway Boat Launch Area
- Cedar Springs Boating Ramp
- Little Hole Trail Daggett County
- Little Hole Boat Launch Area
Campgrounds
- Red Fleet State Park
- Colton Guard Station
- Steinaker State Park
- Range Study Area Camping Area
- Range Study Area
- Kane Hollow Camping Area
Fishing spots
- Red Fleet Reservoir
- Little Brush Creek
- Box Reservoir
- Crouse Reservoir
- Ashley Twin Lakes
- West Greens Lake Fishing Site
Track Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam 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 Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam
Where does the data for Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam 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 Simplot Phosphates Tailings Dam.