Steinaker dam
Steinaker
Steinaker is a federal water resource located in Vernal, Utah, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1961, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 162 feet, with a hydraulic height of 145 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 40,358 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 850 acres and is fed by Ashley Creek offstream, with a drainage area of 19 square miles.
Despite its high hazard potential, Steinaker has undergone modifications in 1994 to enhance its foundation, seismic, and structural integrity. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and can discharge up to 550 cubic feet per second. Its risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, with emergency action plans in place. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last assessment in September 2020, ensuring the safety and reliability of this vital water resource for the surrounding community and agricultural activities.
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 Steinaker -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Brush Creek Abv Red Fleet Res | 16 cfs | → |
| Ashley Creek Near Vernal | 83 cfs | → |
| Ashley Cr Abv Sp Nr Vernal Ut | 4 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Jensen | 4,550 cfs | → |
| Whiterocks River Near Whiterocks | 114 cfs | → |
| Uinta River At Randlett | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Steinaker.
Boat launches
- Desert Voices Trail Uintah County
- Uintah County
- Pelican Lake Boat Ramp
- Cedar Springs Boating Ramp
- Spillway Boat Launch Area
Campgrounds
- Steinaker State Park
- Koa Vernal
- Paradise Park Campground
- Red Fleet State Park
- Dry Fork Campsite 1
- Dry Fork Campsite 2
Fishing spots
- Red Fleet Reservoir
- Little Brush Creek
- Box Reservoir
- Bullock Draw Reservoir
- Brough Reservoir
- Ashley Twin Lakes
Track Steinaker 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 Steinaker
Where does the data for Steinaker 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 Steinaker.