News Release Archive

Reclamation Resumes Early Season Water Storage at Steinaker Reservoir

Media Contact: Matthew Allen, 801-524-3774

For Release: October 16, 2014

Salt Lake City – On Friday, October 10, 2014, following an onsite inspection and subsequent analysis, the hold on early season water storage at Steinaker Reservoir near Vernal, Utah, was rescinded and the reservoir resumed filling.

The discontinued early season impoundment of water was initially declared on September 24, 2014, due to observed “sloughing” of riprap on the dam face. While there was no evidence of a threat to public safety, early season water storage at Steinaker Reservoir was put on hold in order to facilitate an inspection of the upstream face of the dam. No further movement has been observed since the initial event and officials have determined that conditions are satisfactory to resume filling.

Although the Uintah Water Conservancy District has resumed water storage, filling has been limited to a maximum rate of 0.2 feet per day. In addition, Uintah Water Conservancy District will continue instrumentation monitoring of the dam three times per week.

For more information, please contact Provo Area Office Manager Wayne Pullan at 801-369-2778 or Reclamation's Upper Colorado Regional Public Affairs Officer Matthew Allen at 801-524-3774.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.