Arthur V. Watkins dam
Arthur V. Watkins
Arthur V. Watkins, also known as Willard, is a federal irrigation structure located in Box Elder, Utah. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this offstream reservoir on the Bear River serves the primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1964, it has a storage capacity of 223,100 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 9,950 acres. With a hydraulic height of 26 feet and a structural height of 36 feet, this earth dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Despite its age, Arthur V. Watkins remains a key component of the water infrastructure in Utah, with regular inspections and maintenance conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation. The dam has a high hazard potential, necessitating careful monitoring and emergency preparedness. While the exact condition assessment is not available, the structure has undergone modifications in 2009 to reinforce its foundation and structure. With Rob Bishop (R) representing the area in Congress, the dam continues to be a vital part of the local water supply system.
As a significant feature in the landscape of Box Elder, Utah, Arthur V. Watkins stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in the region. With a long history of serving agricultural needs, this federal irrigation structure continues to play a crucial role in supporting the local economy and community. With ongoing efforts to ensure its safety and efficiency, the dam remains a valuable asset for water and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Arthur V. Watkins -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Weber River Near Plain City | 68 cfs | → |
| Ogden River Nr Gibson Avenue At Ogden | 227 cfs | → |
| Weber River At Ogden | 104 cfs | → |
| Ogden River Bl Pineview Res Near Huntsville | 156 cfs | → |
| Bear River Near Corinne | 387 cfs | → |
| Weber River At I-84 At Uintah | 165 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Arthur V. Watkins.
Boat launches
- South 7500 West Weber County
- Weber County
- South 7500 West Hooper
- Road Tour Box Elder County
- Promontory Road Corinne
Campgrounds
- Box Elder Campground
- Little Valley Country Store & Campground
- Maples Campground
- Old Maple Campground
- Anderson Cove Campground
- Middle Fork Dispersed Camping
Fishing spots
- South Fork Ogden River
- Tony Grove Lake
- Mill Canyon Fishing Dock And Boardwalk
- Chalk Creek
- Lake Desolation
- Lake Florence
Paddle runs
Track Arthur V. Watkins 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 Arthur V. Watkins
Where does the data for Arthur V. Watkins 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 High 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 Arthur V. Watkins.