Rocky Ford (beaver)
Rocky Ford (beaver) is an earth dam located in Beaver County, Utah, built in 1914. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rocky Ford (beaver)
The primary purpose of Rocky Ford (beaver) is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Rocky Ford Irrigation Company (private). It impounds the Beaver River near Minersville.
The dam stands 68 feet tall and stretches 1,575 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 38,733 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 531 square miles. Completed in 1914, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/21/2023.
At 68 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Beaver |
| Nearest City | Minersville |
| River/Stream | Beaver River |
| Coordinates | 38.21849, -112.83411 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 68 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,575 ft |
| Year Completed | 1914 (112 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 38,733 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 38,733 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 14,129 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 531 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | ROCKY FORD IRRIGATION COMPANY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/21/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | UT00259 |
| Federal ID | UT00259 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |