Williams No. 2 dam
Williams No. 2
Williams No. 2 is a privately owned earth dam located in Sublette, Wyoming, along the West Fork of Dry Sandy river. Completed in 1917, this dam serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 117 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 14 feet, with a spillway width of 30 feet, and is classified as having a low hazard potential but a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in August 2018.
Despite its age and condition, Williams No. 2 poses a moderate risk level and is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's design includes stone core types and soil foundations, with an uncontrolled spillway type. Its location near Farson, Wyoming, makes it crucial for maintaining water resources in the region for agriculture and fire protection purposes. With a drainage area of 0 and a maximum discharge of 0, this dam plays a significant role in water management in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Williams No. 2 to be an intriguing case study in the management of aging infrastructure and the balance between water storage and safety. As the dam continues to be regulated by the state and inspected regularly, there are opportunities for improvement and potential upgrades to ensure its long-term functionality and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions. Its historical significance and importance for local water resources make it a focal point for understanding the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and climate adaptation in the region.
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 Williams No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy River Near Farson | 256 cfs | → |
| Pacific Creek Near Farson | 3 cfs | → |
| Little Popo Agie River Near Lander | 25 cfs | → |
| New Fork River Near Big Piney | 1,750 cfs | → |
| Sf L Wind Riv Ab Washakie Res | 629 cfs | → |
| Green River Below Fontenelle Reservoir | 626 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williams No. 2.
Track Williams No. 2 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 Williams No. 2
Where does the data for Williams No. 2 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 Williams No. 2.