Eagle Canyon dam
Eagle Canyon
Eagle Canyon, also known as Childers Reservoir, is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Natrona, Wyoming. Built in 1924, this Earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 410 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Eagle Creek offstream, serves the primary purpose of irrigation, providing essential water resources for agricultural activities in the area.
Despite its age, Eagle Canyon Dam has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and is in poor condition as of the last assessment in 2017. However, with regular inspections and maintenance, the dam continues to serve its function effectively. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 150 feet and a single valve outlet gate. Additionally, the dam has a moderate risk assessment level, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure its safety and stability.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Eagle Canyon presents an intriguing case study of a historic irrigation dam in Wyoming. Its location in the picturesque Alcova region, along with its unique design features and operational history, make it a notable site for those interested in water infrastructure and management. As efforts continue to maintain and improve the dam's condition, Eagle Canyon serves as a reminder of the vital role that such structures play in supporting agricultural activities and water resource management 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 Eagle Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetwater River Near Alcova | 27 cfs | → |
| Deer Creek In Canyon | 60 cfs | → |
| Medicine Bow R Ab Seminoe Reservoir | 38 cfs | → |
| Box Elder Creek At Boxelder | 26 cfs | → |
| N Platte Riv Ab Seminoe Reservoir | 1,640 cfs | → |
| L Medicine Bow R At Boles Spring | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eagle Canyon.
Boat launches
- Gray Reef Road Natrona County
- Ledge Creek Boat Stopoff
- Natrona County
- Trapper Route Road Natrona County
- Miles Landing Boat Ramp 2
- Miles Landing Boat Ramp 1
Campgrounds
- Oakie Beach - Alcova Reservoir
- Westside - Alcova Reservoir
- Fremont Canyon - Alcova Reservoir
- Cottonwood - Alcova Reservoir
- Gray Reef Reservoir
- Gray Reef Dam Campground
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Eagle Canyon 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 Eagle Canyon
Where does the data for Eagle Canyon 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 Eagle Canyon.