Gunst dam
Gunst
Gunst is a privately owned earth dam located in Carbon, Wyoming, near the city of UNNAMED RANCH. Built in 1926 for irrigation purposes, Gunst dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a storage capacity of 593 acre-feet. The dam spans 2015 feet in length and impounds Beaver Creek, serving as a vital water resource in the area.
Despite its historical significance, Gunst dam is classified as having a poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in July 2017 revealed its deteriorating state, prompting concern for its structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment rating, there is a pressing need for risk management measures to be implemented to ensure the safety of downstream communities and the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts closely monitor the state of Gunst dam, its presence serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between human infrastructure and natural systems. With regulatory oversight from the Wyoming State Engineer's Office and state inspection and enforcement in place, efforts are being made to address the dam's vulnerabilities and mitigate potential risks. As discussions continue on the future of Gunst dam, stakeholders are challenged to balance the historical importance of the structure with the pressing need for safety and sustainability in the face of a changing climate.
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 Gunst -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Encampment River At Mouth | 621 cfs | → |
| Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr | 428 cfs | → |
| South Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 18 cfs | → |
| North Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 142 cfs | → |
| North Platte River Near Northgate | 433 cfs | → |
| Jack Creek Above Coyote Draw | 133 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gunst.
Boat launches
- Bennett Creek Campground Boat Ramp
- Blm 3404 Carbon County
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Dock
- Tombstone Nature Trail Routt County
Campgrounds
- Encampment River Campsite 8
- Encampment River Campsite 7
- Encampment River Campsite 6
- Encampment River Campsite 5
- Encampment River Campsite 4
- Encampment River Campground
Fishing spots
- Hog Park Reservoir
- Big Creek Lakes Day Use Area
- Big Creek Lake(Lower)
- Big Creek Lake(Upper)
- Rob Roy Reservoir
- Saratoga Lake
More reservoirs
Track Gunst 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 Gunst
Where does the data for Gunst 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 Gunst.