One of A Kind: Pine View Dam
Pine View Dam has a unique 3 layered system that is unmatched anywhere in America.
The Pine View Dam is a beautiful example of nature and human innovation. The Pine View Dam is made up of three unique layers that combine to comprise its overall integrity: artisan wells, original 61-foot structure of the 1930s, and the addition of 29 feet in the 1950s.
Settlers in the Ogden area first noticed artisan wells that spread out over the Ogden-Weber Basin. These first settlers were able to reap benefits from the beautiful water supply by using it for irrigation. The first layer of the dam made this possible and became integral to the Ogden community. Though the Ogden River provided the sustenance for life, it also held the ability to end life in the area. Due to yearly flooding, there were times that the early settlers faced the possibility of being washed from the benches of the Ogden River.
The second layer of the majestic Pine View Dam, finished in the 1930s, added 44,000 acre-feet of water. William R. Wallace, president of the Ogden River Water Users' Association, and Utah Governor Henry H. Blood, fought with the Bureau of Reclamation to secure funds to make this second layer possible and save the surrounding communities of the Ogden River. This second layer did not only add jobs and water to the area, but also provided irrigation for 1,250 farmers.
The addition of the third layer, needed because of population growth, was made possible by the Bureau of Reclamation who developed a cost-feasible solution. The adding of a third layer was made part of the Weber Basin Project. The 61-foot Pine View Dam would be raised to 90 feet, raising the total capacity to 110,200 acre-feet. The importance of these layers can be seen by the lush, green landscape of the Ogden-Weber Basin, as well as the bountiful products that are grown from the well-irrigated lands. Anyone who lives in this area can tell you the importance of the Pine View Dam, and all people can admire its beauty.
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