Yellowstone Reservoir Dam Removal and Restoration

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Ashley National Forest
Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District

Yellowstone Reservoir Dam Removal and Restoration
Yellowstone Reservoir and Reservoir Campground Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District, Ashley National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):

To go into or be upon the area and road as described below, which is closed for the protection of public health and safety. [Title 36 CFR 261.53(e)]

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2)
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

Reservoir Campground and Forest Service Road 126 and the area surrounding the Yellowstone Reservoir including the day use area and all areas within 200 feet of the reservoir; and Forest Service Road 113. The legal description for these areas is as follows: Township 2 North, Range 14 East, section 15 (Salt Lake City Baseline and Meridian). The area above described is within the proclaimed and administrative boundaries of the Ashley National Forest, within Duchesne County, State of Utah. (See attached map)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety as Yellowstone Reservoir Dam is removed and surrounding area restored to a natural river.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from 11 August 2026 at 0700 through 30 December 2027 at 0700, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/ashley/alerts
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District, 85 West Main, Duchesne Utah, (435) 738-2482, and Ashley National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 355 North Vernal Avenue Vernal, Utah, (435) 789-1181, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on 8/11/2026.