Echo Dam facts for kids

Echo Dam is a large dam in Summit County, Utah. It stands about six miles north of Coalville. This dam creates a big lake called Echo Reservoir.

This is a photo of the Echo Reservoir Dam, taken from near the northwest corner of the dam, down at the water's edge

Echo Dam: A Big Helper for Water

How Echo Dam Was Built

A government group called the United States Bureau of Reclamation built Echo Dam. They finished building it in 1931. The dam is made mostly of earth and rock. It is 158 feet tall, which is about as tall as a 15-story building!

The main reason for building the dam was to store water. This water comes from the Weber River. It also collects water from a large area called the Weber Basin. The water is used to help water farms. Another dam built by the Bureau of Reclamation in the same area is Rockport Reservoir.

Who Manages the Dam

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation owns Echo Dam. A local group called the Weber River Water Users Association helps run it. They make sure the water is used properly.

Keeping the Dam Safe

In July 2012, workers started a big project on the dam. This project cost $50 million. Its goal was to make the dam stronger against earthquakes. They wanted to make sure the ground underneath the dam was very stable.

Fun at Echo Reservoir

Echo Reservoir can hold a lot of water. It can hold about 74,000 acre-feet of water. An acre-foot is enough water to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. That's a huge amount of water!

The reservoir is also a great place for outdoor fun. People enjoy fishing, boating, and camping there. You can also go hiking around the area.