High Mountain Dams in Upalco Unit, Kidney Lake Dam, Ashley National Forest, 4.7 miles North of Miners Gulch Campground, Mountain Home

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Kidney Lake is by far the largest of the reservoired high mountain lakes in the Upalco Unit of the Central Utah Project. One of three lakes in the Brown Duck Basin dammed by the Farnswonh Irrigation Company in its 630-foot dam is among the largest built in the Unit. The dam itself is representative and relatively well-preserved, but the recent replacement of the outlet mechanism has comprised its historical integrity. Inventoried by: Clayton Fraser and James Jurale Fraserdesign Loveland, Colorado October 20, High Mountain Dams in Upalco Unit, Kidney Lake Dam HAER No. UT-42-J (Page 2)

Historical Information

The Farnswonh Canal and Reservoir Company filed for irrigation watr storage rights on three high mountain lakes--Island, Kidney and Brown Duck in the Lake Fork River drainage in July The permits were approved by the State Engineer the following April and, by November small-scale earth-fill dams had been completed at all three lakes to raise and control the water levels. Located on a small tributary of the Lake Fork River, Kidney Lake Dam is by far the largest of the reservoirs in the Brown Duck Basin. Its foot dam is the longest of the three and is built using typical earth fill construction with sloped, riprap-covered faces. In the original outlet works, with a cribbed log support structure, were replaced with the current inclined steel pipe outlet and screw.

It is proposed that the dam be breached to lower the lake to within three feet of its natural level.

Architectural Information

Dam length: 630 feet Dam height: 24 feet Dam width: 14 feet Construct: Earth fill dam with stone riprap facing Lake size: acres; acre-foot maximum capacity; 20 vertical foot maximum drawdown Outlet: Gated steel pipe BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION "Preliminary Engineering Report: Stabilization of High Mountain Lakes, Upalco Unit, National Forest Service Report, page 20. William F. Gettleman, "Report on the Lakes and Reservoir of the Headwaters of the Uintah, Whiterocks and Lakefork Rivers, Uintah Project, Utah; Feb. page. 20. Field inspection by Clayton Fraser, July 22, For additional information, see Irrigation Canals in the Uinta Basin, HAER No. ^ High Mountain Dams in Upalco Unit, Kidney Lake Dam HAER No. UT-42-J (Page 3) PFSAWPOUJKJ 9