Fontenelle dam
Fontenelle
Fontenelle, situated on the Green River in Wyoming, is a captivating water resource marvel that serves multiple purposes, including fish and wildlife preservation, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. Built in 1963 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this federal-owned earth dam stands at a height of 139 feet and has a storage capacity of 405,160 acre-feet, providing essential water management for the region. The dam's spillway, with a width of 40 feet, helps control water flow during periods of high discharge, ensuring safety and efficiency in its operations.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a moderate risk assessment, Fontenelle Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures by the Bureau of Reclamation to maintain its structural integrity and safeguard against potential emergencies. The dam's rich history includes a structural modification in 1989, highlighting its adaptability and resilience to evolving environmental conditions. Fontenelle's strategic location in Lincoln County, Wyoming, makes it a critical piece of infrastructure for water management in the region, reflecting the ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable water resource utilization for current and future generations.
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 Fontenelle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Green River Below Fontenelle Reservoir | 760 cfs | → |
| Green River Near La Barge | 2,030 cfs | → |
| Fontenelle C Nr Herschler Ranch | 104 cfs | → |
| Hams Fork Below Pole Creek | 156 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy River Near Farson | 210 cfs | → |
| New Fork River Near Big Piney | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fontenelle.
Boat launches
- Tail Race Campground Boat Launch
- Weeping Rock Campground Boat Launch
- Slate Creek Campground Boat Launch
- Fontenelle Creek Boat Ramp
- Names Hill Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Tail Race Campsite 3
- Tail Race
- Tail Race Campsite 2
- Tail Race Campground
- Tail Race Campsite 1
- Weeping Rock Campsite 1
Track Fontenelle 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 Fontenelle
Where does the data for Fontenelle 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 Fontenelle.