Lake Desmet (A dam
Lake Desmet (A
Lake Desmet (A,B,C & Spillway Dikes) is a significant water resource located in the beautiful state of Wyoming. Constructed in 1975, this earth dam stands at a height of 80 feet, with a structural height of 120 feet and a hydraulic height of 70 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 234,987 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 111,827 acre-feet, Lake Desmet plays a crucial role in providing water supply to the surrounding areas.
Situated in Johnson County, Wyoming, Lake Desmet spans across 2,653 acres with a drainage area of 40.5 square miles. The dam is primarily used for water supply purposes and is regulated by the State of Wyoming, with inspections conducted regularly to ensure its safety and integrity. The spillway, with a width of 200 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 8,520 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial component in managing water levels during periods of high flow.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Lake Desmet's condition assessment is rated as fair, with the last inspection conducted in July 2019. With its strategic location and vital role in water management, Lake Desmet (A,B,C & Spillway Dikes) serves as a key infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate the intricate balance between human development and natural ecosystems 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 Lake Desmet (A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piney Creek At Kearny | 113 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Buffalo | 70 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Buffalo | 116 cfs | → |
| South Piney Creek At Willow Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Acme | 123 cfs | → |
| Tongue River At Monarch | 383 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Desmet (A.
Campgrounds
- Hunter Corral Campground
- Middle Fork
- Hettinger Group Campground
- Tie Hack
- Tie Hack Campground
- Circle Park Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake Desmet
- Healy Lake
- Tie Hack Reservoir
- Sheridan Fairgrounds Pond
- Upper Paintrock Fishing Site
- Veterans Cove Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Lake Desmet (A 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 Lake Desmet (A
Where does the data for Lake Desmet (A 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 Lake Desmet (A.