Whiterocks Lake
Whiterocks Lake is an earth dam located in Uintah County, Utah, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Whiterocks Lake
The primary purpose of Whiterocks Lake is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Ouray Park Irrigation Company (private). It impounds the Whiterocks River near Whiterocks.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 1,195 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,230 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1957, 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. 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 08/23/2023.
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 | Uintah |
| Nearest City | Whiterocks |
| River/Stream | Whiterocks River |
| Coordinates | 40.77852, -109.95404 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,195 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,230 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,230 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 919 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 63 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | OURAY PARK IRRIGATION COMPANY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/23/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | UT00323 |
| Federal ID | UT00323 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |