Arthur V. Watkins Dam
Arthur V. Watkins Dam is an earth dam located in Box Elder County, Utah, built in 1964. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Arthur V. Watkins Dam
The primary purpose of Arthur V. Watkins Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Bear River Offstream near Far West And Plain C.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 76,665 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9,950 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 223,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 1964, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/13/2023.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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 | Box Elder |
| Nearest City | Far West And Plain C |
| River/Stream | Bear River Offstream |
| Coordinates | 41.35570, -112.07780 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 76,665 ft |
| Year Completed | 1964 (62 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 223,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 223,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 215,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9,950 acres |
| Drainage Area | 16 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,121 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BUREAU OF RECLAMATION |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | UT10112 |
| Federal ID | UT10112 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |