Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3 dam
Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3
Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3, located in Converse, Wyoming, is a private earth dam completed in 1980 with a primary purpose of providing fire protection, stock watering, and serving as a small fish pond. This dam on the Albert Draw river has a height of 25 feet and a storage capacity of 142 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 0.3 square miles, the dam has a low hazard potential and is classified as having fair condition as of its last inspection in July 2018.
Managed by the State of Wyoming, Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3 is equipped with a slide gate for outlet control and an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 31 feet. The dam's maximum discharge capability is 737 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial resource for maintaining water levels in the region. Despite being categorized as having a moderate risk level, the dam meets state regulatory requirements for inspection, enforcement, and permitting, ensuring its continued functionality for fire protection and wildlife conservation purposes.
With its strategic location and vital role in water resource management, Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3 stands as a testament to the importance of infrastructure in sustaining the delicate balance of climate and ecosystem preservation. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, dams like Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3 play a crucial role in safeguarding communities against wildfires and supporting diverse aquatic habitats. As stakeholders work together to address evolving water challenges, this dam serves as a reminder of the essential link between water resources and climate resilience 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 Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Powder River At Sussex | 144 cfs | → |
| Deer Creek In Canyon | 49 cfs | → |
| Box Elder Creek At Boxelder | 26 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R Bl Rattlesnake C Nr Piney Wy | 0 cfs | → |
| North Platte River At Orin | 612 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3.
Track Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3 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 Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3
Where does the data for Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3 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 Hardy-Bear Creek No. 3.