Shell Creek No. 2 dam
Shell Creek No. 2
Shell Creek No. 2 is a private water resource structure located in Big Horn, Wyoming, along Shell Creek. Built in 1957 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at a height of 42.1 feet and spans 440 feet in length, with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, with a moderate risk assessment score of 3.
This structure, managed by the Forest Service, has a storage capacity of 1949 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 98 acres, benefiting from a drainage area of 24 square miles. While it is not state-regulated or inspected, Shell Creek No. 2 serves essential functions such as irrigation and water supply in the region. The dam's condition assessment is marked as "Not Rated", with an inspection frequency of every 5 years.
Overall, Shell Creek No. 2 stands as a vital resource for the local ecosystem, providing support for fish and wildlife populations along with water supply and irrigation needs. Its strategic location along Shell Creek and its low hazard potential make it a valuable asset in the region, contributing to the sustainable management of water resources in Wyoming.
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 Shell Creek No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Creek Above Shell Creek Reservoir | 12 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Shell | 74 cfs | → |
| South Piney Creek At Willow Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Tongue River Near Dayton | 48 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Buffalo | 70 cfs | → |
| Piney Creek At Kearny | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shell Creek No. 2.
Campgrounds
- Shell Reservoir Camping Area
- Ranger Creek Campground
- Ranger Creek Recreation Area
- Ranger Creek - Paintrock
- Shell Creek Campground
- Shell Creek
Fishing spots
- Upper Paintrock Fishing Site
- Tongue River Fishing Site
- Tongue River Fishing East
- Tongue River Fishing West
- Veterans Cove Fishing Site
- Tie Hack Reservoir
More reservoirs
Track Shell Creek 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 Shell Creek No. 2
Where does the data for Shell Creek 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 Shell Creek No. 2.