Little Dell Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Dell Reservoir |
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Little Dell Reservoir in early Spring, April 2009
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 Little Dell Reservoir
Location in Utah
Little Dell Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Salt Lake County, Utah, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°46′23″N 111°41′37″W / 40.7730°N 111.6935°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Dell Creek |
| Primary outflows | Dell Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 249 acres (101 ha) |
| Average depth | 82.4 ft (25.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 200.1 ft (61.0 m) |
| Water volume | 20,500 acre⋅ft (25,300,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 5,798 ft (1,767 m) |
Little Dell Reservoir is a man-made lake in eastern Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is about 13 miles (21 km) east of Salt Lake City in the western Wasatch Mountains. This reservoir helps provide drinking water and also controls floods for the area.
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About Little Dell Reservoir
Little Dell Reservoir is located right next to Utah State Route 65. It's about 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Interstate 80, making it easy to visit. The reservoir holds water from Dell Creek. It also stores water that is moved from Parleys Creek, which is nearby.
How Was It Built?
The reservoir was built between 1987 and 1993. It was a big project involving the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County. The main goals were to supply drinking water and prevent floods. The total cost of building it was about US$63.8 million. Today, the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities takes care of the reservoir and its recreation areas.
The idea for a water storage place on Dell Creek started a long time ago. In the late 1940s, a geologist named Dr. Ray E. Marsell suggested the project. Interest in building it grew again in 1983. This was after a part of Salt Lake City was flooded for the second time in 31 years.
The dam at Little Dell Reservoir is made of rolled earthfill. It stands 224 feet (68 m) tall above the streambed. The dam is also quite long, measuring 1,700 feet (520 m) from one end to the other.
A Historic Spot
The recreation area at Little Dell is close to a historic Pony Express station. This station was run by a Utah pioneer named Ephraim Hanks in the mid-1800s. It was known as Little Dell Station. The site was about 1,000 feet (300 m) northeast of the northern tip of the reservoir. It was recognized as an important historical place in 1971.
Fishing at Little Dell
Fishing is allowed at Little Dell, but there are some special rules. You can only use artificial lures. This means you cannot use worms, salmon eggs, cheese, or other natural baits. Anglers can use spinners, spoons, flies, or other fake lures.
Little Dell Reservoir is home to several types of fish. You can find Brook trout and Brown trout here. It is especially known for its healthy native Bonneville cutthroat trout. To help protect this special fish, you are not allowed to keep any Bonneville cutthroats you catch. All of them must be released back into the water. The Bonneville cutthroats in Little Dell are famous for their large size.
You can fish from the shore almost any time of the year. Even if the main park entrance is closed in winter, you can still walk down to the water from the parking area. You can also fish from small boats that don't have motors. This includes kayaks, canoes, or float tubes. There is a small boat ramp where you can launch these types of boats.
Come and Visit!
Since it was built, Little Dell has become a popular spot for outdoor fun. Many people from Salt Lake County and beyond come here for picnics and recreation. During the main season, from Memorial Day through October, there is a small fee of $5.00 to enter. However, you can walk down to the water from the parking area outside the gate all year round.
For a great view of Little Dell Reservoir, you can visit Little Mountain Pass. This spot is located at the top of Emigration Canyon.
