Wray Watershed District #5 dam
Wray Watershed District #5
Wray Watershed District #5, located in Yuma, Colorado, is a local government-owned entity designed by the USDA NRCS to manage flood risk along the N. Fork Republican River. This earth dam, completed in 1958, stands at 31 feet high and spans 344 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 43 acre-feet. With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is inspected every 3 years to ensure its structural integrity and satisfactory condition.
Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and a maximum discharge capacity of 1417 cubic feet per second, Wray Watershed District #5 has effectively reduced flood risks in the region. This dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation, with a normal storage capacity of 27 acre-feet and a surface area of 3 acres. While it meets regulatory requirements for state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) and risk management measures may need further refinement to align with guidelines and ensure effective response in case of emergencies.
Overall, Wray Watershed District #5 serves as a vital flood risk reduction infrastructure in Colorado, managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. With its strategic location in S12, T.01N, R.44W, 6TH PM, and oversight by the state regulatory agency DWR, this dam continues to safeguard the community of Wray and beyond. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor the ongoing maintenance and risk assessments of this critical water management structure to ensure its continued effectiveness in mitigating potential flood events.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Wray Watershed District #5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Republican River At Colorado-Nebraska | 31 cfs | → |
| Arikaree River At Haigler | 2 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Haigler | 1 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At Parks | 3 cfs | → |
| Sf Republican R Nr Co-Ks St Line | 1 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Benkelman | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wray Watershed District #5.
Campgrounds
Track Wray Watershed District #5 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Wray Watershed District #5
Where does the data for Wray Watershed District #5 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Wray Watershed District #5.