Utah Lake Outlet Dam
Utah Lake Outlet
Utah Lake Outlet, located in Utah County, Utah, serves as a vital water supply structure managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights. Completed in 1988, the outlet plays a key role in regulating the flow of water from the Jordan River into the Great Salt Lake. With a dam height of 9 feet and a hydraulic height of 6 feet, the outlet has a storage capacity of 1,369,894 acre-feet and serves as a primary source of water supply for the region.
Although rated as having a low hazard potential, the condition assessment of Utah Lake Outlet is currently marked as "Not Rated." The structure, primarily an earth dam, spans a length of 1,100 feet and is situated in a drainage area of 3,010 square miles. While the outlet does not have spillway gates, it is subject to regular inspections by the state regulatory agency to ensure its continued functionality and safety. In case of emergencies, the outlet is equipped with an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), although details regarding its preparation and last revision date are currently unavailable.
In the realm of water resource and climate management, Utah Lake Outlet stands as a critical infrastructure supporting the water supply needs of the Utah region. Its strategic location and design make it a key component in the water distribution system, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of water flow between the Jordan River and the Great Salt Lake. Regular inspections and oversight by the Utah Division of Water Rights ensure that the outlet continues to operate effectively while minimizing potential risks and hazards associated with its operation.
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 Utah Lake Outlet -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Canyon Creek Near Cedar Fort | 1 cfs | → |
| American Fk Ab Upper Powerplant Nr American Fk | 19 cfs | → |
| Provo River At Provo | 39 cfs | → |
| Hobble Creek At 1650 West At Springville | 16 cfs | → |
| Little Cottonwood Creek @ Jordan River Nr Slc | 4 cfs | → |
| Daniels Creek At Charleston | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Utah Lake Outlet.
Boat launches
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About Utah Lake Outlet
Where does the data for Utah Lake Outlet 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 below 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.
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.