Otter Creek State Park

About the Park

    In the fall of 1897, construction began on one of the oldest dam projects in Utah, creating what is now Otter Creek Reservoir. Local Mormons in the area needed a source of irrigation water for farming in the area where they had chosen to live. Many of the farmers had experience with building irrigation canals, but knew nothing about constructing a dam. After applying for water rights, members of the Otter Creek Reservoir Company were denied the financial assistance they needed to take on the project.

    Despite the lack of funds to build the dam, it was decided to go ahead and begin construction. Robert Dixon Young, who had no prior experience in dam construction, was appointed supervisor of the project. With the help of local volunteers and homemade equipment, construction began in 1897. A year later, financial assistance was finally approved and the proper equipment to complete the project was purchased.

    Once the 40-foot-high dam was complete, state engineers described it to be "one of the best and more secure earth reservoir dams in the country." The original dam structure held up very well over many years, although some recent improvements have been made by the state.