Utaba Dam Rehabilitation Plan-EA

 

Sponsor: Weber County

Page updated:  August 19, 2024 — This page will continue to be updated as the project progresses.

 

Project Description

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), with assistance from Weber County as the project sponsor, is considering a proposed rehabilitation of the Utaba Retarding Dam located just downstream of the confluence of Cutler Creek and the North Fork of the Ogden River. The dam is currently out of compliance with state and NRCS dam safety standards. This project would seek to bring the dam into compliance with these standards and to reduce the possibility of a failure.

Conceptual improvements may include:

  • Increasing the capacity of the auxiliary spillway.
  • Increasing the top width of the dam.
  • Constructing a new spillway due the deficient state of the current one.
  • Addressing sedimentation issues in the reservoir.
  • Addressing seepage issues at the outlet of the principal spillway.
  • Providing protection to the area during an earthquake.

More information on the NRCS Watershed Rehabilitation Program: NRCS 2024 Updated Fact Sheet – Watershed Rehabilitation Program

Project Fact Sheet: Utaba Dam Rehabilitation Plan-EA Fact Sheet

 

NEPA Analysis

NRCS, as the lead federal agency, is initiating National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis in the form of a Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) to analyze impacts to the natural and human environment from this project. The Plan-EA will comply with the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations at 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR Part 650), which require an evaluation of potential environmental impacts associated with federal projects and actions.

 

Current Status

The project is in the scoping phase of the environmental process to identify issues and resource concerns. Technical studies are scheduled to take place during the summer/fall of 2024, with a Draft Watershed Plan – Environmental Assessment to be circulated for review in 2025.

 

Public Scoping

★ Public Comment Submission: click here to submit a comment

Thank you to all who attended the public scoping meeting. A recording of the meeting can be seen here: https://youtu.be/KbtC3wvu8nM

Utaba Watershed EA Public Scoping Meeting Presentation (click here to download or view below)

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Agency Scoping Meeting recording: Click here to view the agency scoping meeting

 

Project Schedule
  • Scoping Public Comment Period :: August 1, 2024 — August 30, 2024
  • Scoping Public Virtual Open House :: Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 6:30pm (see flyer above for more details)
  • Alternative Development and Analysis :: September 2024 — TBA
  • Preparation of Draft Watershed Plan – Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan-EA) :: TBA
  • Draft Plan-EA Public Comment Period (30 days) :: TBA
  • Preparation of Draft Plan-EA & Finding of No Significant Impact (Plan-EA and FONSI) :: TBA
  • Issue of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) :: TBA

 

Contact Information

Layne Jensen, P.E. – Franson Civil Engineers, Project Manager
1276 South 820 East Suite 100
American Fork, UT 84003
[email protected]
801-756-0309

Landon Richins – Franson Civil Engineers, Environmental Specialist
1276 South 820 East Suite 100
American Fork, UT 84003
[email protected]
801-756-0309

Shawn Stanley, P.E – USDA-NRCS North Watershed Engineer
1860 North 100 East
Logan, UT 84341
[email protected]