Little Dell
Little Dell is an earth dam located in Salt Lake County, Utah, built in 1993. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Little Dell
The primary purpose of Little Dell is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Salt Lake City Corporation (local government). It impounds the Mountain Dell near Salt Lake City.
The dam stands 224 feet tall and stretches 1,700 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 25,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 1993, the structure is 33 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 09/08/2023.
At 224 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Salt Lake |
| Nearest City | Salt Lake City |
| River/Stream | Mountain Dell |
| Coordinates | 40.77185, -111.70410 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 224 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1993 (33 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 25,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 25,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 20,500 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 16 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | UT00755 |
| Federal ID | UT00755 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |