Jordanelle Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jordanelle Reservoir |
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Looking southwest across the Jordanelle Reservoir, with Mount Timpanogos in the distance and the US40/US189 road cut on the right, June 2006
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 Jordanelle Reservoir
Location in Utah
Jordanelle Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wasatch County, Utah United States |
| Coordinates | 40°37′0″N 111°24′30″W / 40.61667°N 111.40833°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Provo River |
| Primary outflows | Provo River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 6,188 feet (1,886 m) |
| Settlements | Hideout |
The Jordanelle Reservoir is a large man-made lake in Wasatch County, Utah, United States. It's located just north of Heber City. This reservoir gets most of its water from the Provo River. The river also flows out of the reservoir.
The reservoir was created by building the Jordanelle Dam. This dam is an earthen dam, meaning it's made mostly of soil and rock. Because of the dam's construction, some roads had to be moved. U.S. Route 40 and U.S. Route 189 now run together over nearby mountains. Also, three small towns named Keetley, Hailstone, and Jordanelle are now under the water of the reservoir.
Contents
Building the Jordanelle Dam
The construction of the Jordanelle Dam began on June 27, 1987. It took several years to build. The dam was officially finished on April 12, 1993. After the dam was completed, the area became a state park.
Opening of Jordanelle State Park
Jordanelle State Park opened its doors to visitors on June 29, 1995. This park offers many fun activities for people to enjoy on and around the reservoir.
Challenges During Construction
Building the Jordanelle Dam was not easy. Some groups had concerns about the project.
Protecting Nature
Conservationists were worried about the Provo River. They wanted to keep the river in its natural state. To help with this, a large artificial wetland was created at the base of the dam. A wetland is an area where the land is covered by water, and it's important for many plants and animals.
Safety Concerns
Other groups were concerned about the ground where the dam was being built. They worried that the area might not be strong enough. They remembered the Teton Dam in Idaho, which broke in 1976. This caused a lot of damage.
Mining Interests
People involved in mining in nearby Park City also had worries. They feared that the new reservoir might flood parts of the Ontario silver mine. This mine was important for getting silver.
Fun Activities at Jordanelle
Jordanelle Reservoir is a popular spot, especially during the summer. It's a great place for athletes and people who love the outdoors.
Sports and Races
Many triathletes come to Jordanelle. A triathlon is a race that includes swimming, biking, and running. The park's "Rock Cliff" area has tough terrain. This makes it perfect for sprint triathlons. People also come to run 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) races and even ultra marathons. An ultra marathon is a very long running race, much longer than a regular marathon.
