Richens #3 dam
Richens #3
Richens #3 is a privately-owned irrigation dam located in Uintah, Utah. Managed by the Utah Division of Water Rights, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 23 feet and spans 300 feet in length. With a normal storage capacity of 111.6 acre-feet, this low hazard potential structure has been inspected every five years, with the last assessment conducted in June 2018.
Situated in the jurisdiction of the Utah Division of Water Rights, Richens #3 plays a vital role in supporting agricultural activities in the region. While the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," its low hazard potential suggests that it poses minimal risk to surrounding areas. Despite the absence of detailed risk management measures and emergency action plans, the dam's operational status and state-regulated status indicate a commitment to ensuring its safety and functionality.
Located in a pristine natural setting, Richens #3 serves as a testament to the importance of water resource management in sustaining local ecosystems and supporting human activities. This dam not only provides crucial irrigation water for agricultural purposes but also highlights the intricate regulatory framework that governs water infrastructure in Utah. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Richens #3 play a crucial role in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of water systems in the face of environmental challenges.
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 Richens #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uinta River At Randlett | 10 cfs | → |
| Duchesne River Near Randlett | 55 cfs | → |
| Duchesne R Ab Uinta R Near Randlett | 39 cfs | → |
| Duchesne River At Myton | 55 cfs | → |
| Ashley Creek Near Vernal | 83 cfs | → |
| Whiterocks River Near Whiterocks | 114 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richens #3.
Boat launches
- Uintah County
- Pelican Lake Boat Ramp
- Seep Ridge Road Uintah County
- Upalco Cemetery Road Duchesne County
- White River Enron Boat Ramp
- Desert Voices Trail Uintah County
Campgrounds
- Pelican Lake
- Pelican Lake Campground
- Paradise Park Campground
- Koa Vernal
- Steinaker State Park
- Dry Fork Campsite 1
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Richens #3 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 Richens #3
Where does the data for Richens #3 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 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 Richens #3.