Middle Piney Lake Dam dam
Middle Piney Lake Dam
Middle Piney Lake Dam, located in Big Piney, Wyoming, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the Forest Service. Built in 1940, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 24 feet and stretches 125 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 4,389 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, providing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the picturesque surroundings of Middle Piney Creek.
Despite its scenic appeal, Middle Piney Lake Dam has a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment, with the last inspection conducted in October 2017. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk. Despite these challenges, the Forest Service continues to oversee the operation and maintenance of the dam, ensuring the safety of the surrounding community and the preservation of this vital water resource in Sublette County.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Middle Piney Lake Dam to be a fascinating example of the delicate balance between human intervention and natural ecosystems. As efforts are made to address the dam's condition and ensure its long-term stability, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible dam management in the face of changing environmental conditions and increasing demands on water resources.
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 Middle Piney Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow C Nr Fairview Wyo | 53 cfs | → |
| Smiths Fork Near Border | 359 cfs | → |
| New Fork River Near Big Piney | 996 cfs | → |
| Hams Fork Below Pole Creek | 132 cfs | → |
| Green River Near La Barge | 1,420 cfs | → |
| Fontenelle C Nr Herschler Ranch | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Middle Piney Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Middle Piney Lake Campground
- Middle Piney Lake
- Sacajawea
- Cazier Guard Station
- Snyder Guard Station
- Labarge Guard Station
Fishing spots
Track Middle Piney Lake Dam 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 Middle Piney Lake Dam
Where does the data for Middle Piney Lake Dam 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 High 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 Middle Piney Lake Dam.