Joes Valley Dam facts for kids
Joes Valley Dam is a large structure in Emery County, Utah. It's a special kind of dam called an earthen dam. This means it's built mostly from earth, like soil and rock, rather than concrete. Its official national ID is UT10124.
This important dam helps manage water for people living in the area. It creates a big lake that stores water for farms and towns.
Building the Dam
The Joes Valley Dam was built a long time ago, between 1963 and 1965. That's over 50 years ago! The construction was handled by a group called the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This government agency builds and manages water projects across the country.
How Big Is It?
The dam is quite tall, reaching about 192 feet high. That's taller than a 15-story building! It's also very long, stretching 750 feet across at its top. Imagine walking across it – that's almost two and a half football fields!
Joes Valley Reservoir
The dam holds back the water from Seely Creek, forming a large lake called Joes Valley Reservoir. This reservoir is a key part of the Emery County Project, which also includes another dam called Huntington North Dam.
Water for Life
The main purpose of the reservoir is to store water. This water is then used for two very important things:
- Irrigation: This means watering crops and fields so farmers can grow food.
- Municipal water supply: This provides drinking water for homes and businesses in nearby towns.
The reservoir can hold a lot of water – about 54,920 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. That's a huge amount of water!
Fun at the Reservoir
Joes Valley Reservoir is not just for water storage; it's also a popular spot for outdoor fun! The lake covers about two square miles, offering plenty of space for activities.
You can enjoy many things here, like:
- Fishing: Many people come to catch fish in the clear waters.
- Boating: You can take a boat out on the lake for a ride or to fish.
- Camping: There are places nearby where you can set up a tent and stay overnight.
- Hiking: Trails around the reservoir are perfect for exploring on foot.
- Hunting: In certain seasons, hunting is allowed in the surrounding areas.
The entire area around the reservoir is part of the beautiful Manti-La Sal National Forest. This means you're surrounded by trees, wildlife, and stunning natural scenery.
