Johnson dam
Johnson
Johnson is a state-owned dam located in Albany, Wyoming, along the Little Creek. Built in 1962, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a capacity to store 132 acre-feet of water. The dam serves a primary purpose of 'Other', with a spillway type of 'Uncontrolled' and a hazard potential rated as 'Low'. Despite its poor condition assessment, Johnson is still considered to have a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Situated in the city of Torrington, Johnson Dam is under the jurisdiction of the State of Wyoming and regulated by the State Engineer's Office. With a structural height of 35 feet and a hydraulic height of 31 feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. The dam's primary design is earth with stone core types, and a single slide gate serves as its outlet. Although the dam's condition is rated as poor, it continues to be inspected regularly to ensure public safety and mitigate any potential risks associated with its operation.
In terms of emergency preparedness, Johnson Dam has no documented Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or updated contact information. However, with a relatively low hazard potential and moderate risk level, it is essential for the responsible authorities to prioritize the development of an EAP and implement necessary risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and management of dams like Johnson is crucial for understanding the broader implications of water infrastructure on local ecosystems and communities.
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 Johnson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sybille Creek Ab Mule Creek | 143 cfs | → |
| Sybille Creek Ab Canal No. 3 | 93 cfs | → |
| Laramie River Near Bosler | 1,950 cfs | → |
| Laramie River At Laramie | 118 cfs | → |
| L Medicine Bow R At Boles Spring | 9 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Ab King Canyon Canal | 384 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Johnson.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Toaster Wall
- Sugarloaf Trailhead
- Wheatland Reservoir No. 3/Post Lake Access - Wgf
- Lewis Park Campground
- Lewis Park
Track Johnson 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 Johnson
Where does the data for Johnson 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 Low 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 Johnson.