Pilot Butte dam
Pilot Butte
Pilot Butte, located in Riverton, Wyoming, is a federal-owned earth dam constructed in 1925 for irrigation purposes on the Wyoming Canal. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this multi-arch dam stands at a height of 64 feet and has a hydraulic height of 55 feet, with a storage capacity of 36,900 acre-feet. The dam spans 1,300 feet in length and has a spillway width of 100 feet to accommodate a maximum discharge of 500 cubic feet per second.
With a surface area of 900 acres and a drainage area of 9 square miles, Pilot Butte plays a crucial role in water resource management in Fremont County, Wyoming. While the dam has a high hazard potential, it is regularly inspected by the Bureau of Reclamation, with the last inspection conducted in July 2020. Despite not having a condition assessment available, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, with risk management measures in place to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of downstream communities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pilot Butte represents a significant engineering feat in the region, serving as a vital component of the irrigation infrastructure along the Wyoming Canal. As a key feature in the Bureau of Reclamation's operations, the dam stands as a testament to the agency's commitment to managing water resources effectively and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance, Pilot Butte continues to play a crucial role in sustaining agricultural activities and water supply in Fremont County.
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 Pilot Butte -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wind River Near Kinnear | 994 cfs | → |
| Wind River Near Crowheart | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Bull Lake Creek Near Lenore | 831 cfs | → |
| Sf L Wind Riv Ab Washakie Res | 611 cfs | → |
| Bull Lake Creek Above Bull Lake | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Wind River At Riverton | 1,090 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pilot Butte.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Pilot Butte 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 Pilot Butte
Where does the data for Pilot Butte 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 Pilot Butte.