Thompson dam
Thompson
Thompson is a privately owned earth dam located in Saratoga, Wyoming, on the Rye Gulch stream. Completed in 1923 for irrigation purposes, the dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as poor, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure its long-term stability.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and outlet gates consisting of a single valve. With a surface area of 17 acres and a drainage area of 1.5 square miles, Thompson serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area. However, its poor condition and moderate risk assessment underscore the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard this crucial infrastructure.
While Thompson currently poses a moderate risk level, proactive measures such as regular inspections and maintenance can help improve its condition and reduce potential risks. As a key component of the irrigation infrastructure in Carbon County, Wyoming, Thompson plays a crucial role in water resource management. By addressing the dam's poor condition and implementing necessary upgrades, stakeholders can ensure the long-term viability and safety of this essential water storage facility in the region.
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 Thompson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Encampment River At Mouth | 621 cfs | → |
| South Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 18 cfs | → |
| Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr | 428 cfs | → |
| North Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 142 cfs | → |
| Jack Creek Above Coyote Draw | 133 cfs | → |
| North Platte River Near Northgate | 433 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Encampment City Park
- Encampment River Campsite 8
- Encampment River Campsite 7
- Encampment River Campsite 6
- Encampment River Campsite 5
- Encampment River Campsite 4
Fishing spots
- Hog Park Reservoir
- Big Creek Lakes Day Use Area
- Saratoga Lake
- Big Creek Lake(Lower)
- Big Creek Lake(Upper)
- Rob Roy Reservoir
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Thompson 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 Thompson
Where does the data for Thompson 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 Thompson.