Rehabilitation of Millsite Dam Leaves Legacy for Area Agriculture
The rehabilitation work at Millsite Dam will stand as a testament to the enduring commitment to safety, sustainability, and the preservation of Utah's natural resources for generations to come.
The recent completion of the rehabilitation work for Millsite Dam, located 3 miles above Ferron, Utah, in Emery County, is an amazing achievement with significant implications for Utah's agriculture, irrigation, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts. Owned and operated by the Ferron Reservoir and Canal Company (FRCC), this project involved a partnership between multiple entities, including the FRCC, Emery County Commission, Utah Division of Water Resources, Utah State Dam Safety office, Millsite State Park, Millsite Golf Course, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other stakeholders.
The rehabilitation work is not only a testament to true grit and perseverance but also highlights the collaborative spirit required to accomplish a complex project. Thinking back to the many planning meetings, reviews and wrangling for funding in those early years, we collectively wondered if we could ever get through the planning-design phases. The construction phase was just a “pipe dream”. Well, no more wondering!
The completion of the Millsite Dam's rehabilitation work leaves a legacy for the area’s agriculture and irrigators. The upgraded dam infrastructure ensures a reliable, resilient, and sustainable water supply for farmers and irrigators, enabling them to continue growing crops on 11,000+ acres and supporting the local economy. By modernizing the dam's structural integrity and improving its flood control capabilities, the rehabilitation work safeguards agricultural lands against potential water-related hazards, securing the livelihoods of farmers in the region.
Millsite Dam's rehabilitation sustains recreational activities with Millsite State Park and the picturesque reservoir in addition to fishing and boating opportunities. Additionally, the rehabilitation work considered the impact on Millsite Golf Course operations. Hole 3 and the tee of Hole 4, which were used for staging during construction, were redesigned and restored, allowing golfers to enjoy a revitalized course.
The rehabilitation work for Millsite Dam provided for a comprehensive mitigation plan in coordination with the FRCC, NRCS, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address the impact on the San Rafael cactus, a Threatened and Endangered species affected by the reservoir's 4-foot raise. Monitoring of transplanted plants over a five-year period revealed an approximate 70% survival rate, helping with the preservation of this protected species.
The successful completion of the rehabilitation work for Millsite Dam required the expertise of several talented engineers who designed and executed the rehabilitation work. The plan, initiated in 2006 with a sediment survey of the reservoir, underwent rigorous evaluations. The installation of various measures, including downstream toe excavation and stability berm for seismic protection, zoned internal drains and pipes for seepage control, dam crest raise for increased storage capacity, reinforced concrete labyrinth weir spillway for overtopping protection, and modernized outlet works ensures the dam's long-term stability, safety, and functionality.
The rehabilitation work at Millsite Dam will stand as a testament to the enduring commitment to safety, sustainability, and the preservation of Utah's natural resources for generations to come.
Written by Norm Evenstad