Boysen dam
Boysen
Boysen Dam, located on the Wind River in Fremont, Wyoming, is a key federal structure designed by Richard Anesi and owned and regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Completed in 1951, this earth dam stands at a height of 220 feet and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and recreation. With a maximum storage capacity of 1,473,118 acre-feet and a surface area of 19,560 acres, Boysen Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its age, Boysen Dam remains a vital infrastructure for water supply and flood control, with a high hazard potential and very high risk assessment. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 60 feet and two slide (sluice gate) outlet gates. The surrounding area is at risk of inundation, prompting the need for emergency action plans and risk management measures. The dam is regularly inspected by the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure its structural integrity and readiness for any potential emergencies.
Boysen Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in the face of climate variability and increasing water demands. Its role in flood risk reduction, irrigation, and power generation highlights the need for sustainable infrastructure to address the challenges posed by a changing climate. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, it is essential to monitor and support initiatives that prioritize the resilience and sustainability of critical water infrastructure like Boysen Dam.
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 Boysen -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Shoshoni | 158 cfs | → |
| Wind River Ab Boysen Reservoir | 2,490 cfs | → |
| Wind River At Riverton | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Little Wind River Near Riverton | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Wind River Near Kinnear | 994 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boysen.
Boat launches
- Brannon Road Fremont County
- Tough Creek Campground
- Us 26;Wy 789 Fremont County
- Lower East River Road Hot Springs County
- Eggert Tract Primitive Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Boysen State Park
- Tough Creek Campground
- Lake Cameahwait - Usbr
- Shoshoni City Park
- Wyoming Garden And Rv
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Boysen 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 Boysen
Where does the data for Boysen 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 Boysen.