Debatable dam
Debatable
Debatable is a privately owned irrigation dam located on Muddy Creek in Fremont, Wyoming. Constructed in 1919, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a storage capacity of 704 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, but its condition assessment is poor, indicating a need for maintenance and upgrades to ensure its long-term safety and functionality.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 100 feet and a single outlet gate for water release. With a surface area of 86 acres and a drainage area of 0 acres, Debatable serves primarily for irrigation purposes. Its location in East Thermopolis, just 65 miles away from the city, makes it a vital water resource for the surrounding agricultural community. However, the dam's poor condition and moderate risk assessment highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and investment in infrastructure improvements to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure sustainable water management in the region.
Despite its historical significance and critical role in local water management, Debatable's current state poses challenges in terms of safety and operational efficiency. With regulatory oversight from the Wyoming State Engineer's Office and a regular inspection schedule, efforts are being made to address the dam's poor condition. As climate change impacts water resources, it becomes increasingly crucial to invest in the resilience of infrastructure like Debatable to ensure sustainable water access for future generations.
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 Debatable -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood C At High Island Rnch Nr Hamilton Dome | 1 cfs | → |
| Wind River Near Crowheart | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Bull Lake Creek Near Lenore | 831 cfs | → |
| Wind River Near Kinnear | 330 cfs | → |
| Wind River Above Red Creek | 908 cfs | → |
| Dinwoody Creek Above Lakes | 104 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Debatable.
Fishing spots
Track Debatable 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 Debatable
Where does the data for Debatable 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.