Dean Springs Dam dam
Dean Springs Dam
Dean Springs Dam, located in Natrona, Wyoming, stands as a testament to the Bureau of Land Management's commitment to debris control. Completed in 1963, this gravity dam on Dean Springs Draw serves the critical purpose of preventing debris buildup and ensuring the smooth flow of water. With a structural height of 30 feet and a hydraulic height of 25 feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing the 4.59 square miles of drainage area it oversees.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is marked as unsatisfactory, raising concerns for its long-term effectiveness. In 2017, an inspection revealed the need for maintenance and potential improvements to meet regulatory standards. While the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, there is currently no detailed risk management plan in place. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the upkeep and potential enhancements of Dean Springs Dam is essential to ensuring its continued functionality and environmental impact.
As a Federal-owned structure managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Dean Springs Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With a storage capacity of 18.36 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 9 feet, this dam not only controls debris but also contributes to the overall ecosystem health. While its uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates may pose challenges, the dam's strategic location and design make it a key asset for maintaining water flow and mitigating potential hazards. Keeping a close eye on the dam's condition, inspection frequency, and risk assessment is vital for safeguarding water resources and climate resilience in the area.
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 Dean Springs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Powder River Near Barnum | 22 cfs | → |
| Nf Powder River Below Pass Creek | 50 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater River Near Alcova | 27 cfs | → |
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Shoshoni | 99 cfs | → |
| Wind River Ab Boysen Reservoir | 377 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dean Springs Dam.
Track Dean Springs 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 Dean Springs Dam
Where does the data for Dean Springs 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 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 Dean Springs Dam.