Wilson Reservoir Dam
Wilson Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Elko County, Nevada, built in 1954. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Wilson Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Wilson Reservoir Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Petan Company Of Nevada Inc (private). It impounds the Bull Run Creek-os.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 1,390 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 791 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 26 square miles. Completed in 1954, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 07/25/2023.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Nevada |
| County | Elko |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Bull Run Creek-os |
| Coordinates | 41.67970, -116.34970 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,390 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 8,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 791 acres |
| Drainage Area | 26 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | PETAN COMPANY OF NEVADA INC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/25/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NV00048 |
| Federal ID | NV00048 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |