Hawk Springs dam
Hawk Springs
Hawk Springs, located in Goshen County, Wyoming, is a privately owned irrigation reservoir situated at the confluence of Horse Creek. Built in 1925, this earth-core dam stands at a height of 64 feet, with a hydraulic height of 50 feet and a structural height of 58 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 24,500 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 16,735 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,328 acres. Despite its impressive size, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment.
The reservoir serves primarily for irrigation purposes, reflecting its importance in sustaining agricultural activities in the region. With a drainage area of 21.1 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 2,447 cubic feet per second, Hawk Springs plays a crucial role in water management and distribution. However, the dam's poor condition and high hazard potential indicate the need for regular inspections and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety and reliability of this vital water resource.
Although Hawk Springs is not under the jurisdiction of any federal agency, it is regulated by the State Engineer's Office in Wyoming. The dam's location in a high-risk area underscores the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard the surrounding communities and ecosystems. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor and advocate for the sustainable management of Hawk Springs and other critical water infrastructure to ensure their long-term viability and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Hawk Springs -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Platte River At Wyoming-Nebraska State Line | 193 cfs | → |
| Lodgepole Creek At Bushnell | 1 cfs | → |
| Laramie River Near Fort Laramie | 41 cfs | → |
| North Platte River Below Whalen Diversion Dam | · | → |
| Sybille Creek Ab Canal No. 3 | 93 cfs | → |
| Crow Creek At 19th Street | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hawk Springs.
Campgrounds
- Hawk Springs State Rec Area
- Zeigler Park - Mitchell
- Scenic Knolls City Golf Course And Campground
- Primitive Campsites
- Wildcat Hills State Rec Area
- Robidoux Rv Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Hawk Springs 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 Hawk Springs
Where does the data for Hawk Springs 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 Hawk Springs.