Finley dam
Finley
Finley, located in Carbon County, Wyoming, is a privately owned Earth dam constructed in 1977 by designer Roger J Smith. Situated along Spring Creek Gulch in Saratoga, this dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond with a primary purpose of supporting local flora and fauna. With a height of 30 feet and a storage capacity of 310 acre-feet, Finley covers a surface area of 39 acres and stands as a vital resource for recreation and conservation efforts in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam at Finley is currently assessed as being in poor condition, highlighting the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity. With a spillway width of 12 feet and valve-operated outlet gates, the dam poses a moderate risk (level 3) in terms of potential hazards. While it has not been modified in recent years and lacks updated emergency action plans, Finley remains a key feature in the local landscape, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts who appreciate its ecological significance and recreational opportunities.
Overall, Finley's role as a Fish and Wildlife Pond underscores its importance in supporting biodiversity and enhancing the natural environment. As part of ongoing risk management measures, it is crucial for stakeholders to prioritize the maintenance and upkeep of this dam to safeguard its functionality and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. By staying vigilant and proactive in addressing any potential issues, Finley can continue to fulfill its vital role in promoting conservation efforts and providing a sustainable water resource for both wildlife and visitors alike.
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 Finley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Encampment River At Mouth | 621 cfs | → |
| North Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 142 cfs | → |
| South Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 18 cfs | → |
| Pass Creek Near Elk Mountain | 149 cfs | → |
| Jack Creek Above Coyote Draw | 133 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Ab King Canyon Canal | 384 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Finley.
Campgrounds
- Saratoga Lake Campground
- Satatoga Lake Campgrounds
- Lincoln Park Campground
- Lincoln Park
- Brush Creek Work Center Barracks
- South Brush Creek Campground
Fishing spots
- Saratoga Lake
- Rob Roy Reservoir
- Hog Park Reservoir
- High Savery Reservoir
- Big Creek Lakes Day Use Area
- Big Creek Lake(Lower)
Paddle runs
Track Finley 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 Finley
Where does the data for Finley 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 Finley.