Deer Valley
Deer Valley is an earth dam located in Wasatch County, Utah, built in 1888. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Deer Valley
The primary purpose of Deer Valley is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Twin Creeks Special Service District (private). It impounds the Lake Creek near Heber City.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 566 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 184 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1888, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/29/2023.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Utah dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Utah |
| County | Wasatch |
| Nearest City | Heber City |
| River/Stream | Lake Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.47352, -111.25573 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 566 ft |
| Year Completed | 1888 (138 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 184 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 184 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 138 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | TWIN CREEKS SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/29/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | UT00088 |
| Federal ID | UT00088 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |