Henderson Drain Detention dam
Henderson Drain Detention
Henderson Drain Detention, located in Laramie, Wyoming, is a state-owned earth dam designed by Leno Menghini in 1987 for flood risk reduction along the Henderson Drain tributary of Crow Creek. With a structural height of 10 feet and a length of 1250 feet, this detention structure has a storage capacity of 126 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 200 feet, and it features a single valve outlet gate.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Henderson Drain Detention is subject to regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The dam has a drainage area of 3 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 171 cubic feet per second. With a surface area of 26 acres and a normal storage capacity of 101 acre-feet, this detention structure plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region and protecting nearby communities like Cheyenne.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the strategic location and design elements of Henderson Drain Detention, which highlight the importance of proactive flood risk management. As part of the larger water infrastructure network in Wyoming, this earth dam serves as a vital piece in maintaining the safety and resilience of the region's water resources. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a history of regular inspections, Henderson Drain Detention stands as a testament to effective water resource management practices and the ongoing efforts to safeguard communities from potential flooding events.
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 Henderson Drain Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Creek At 19th Street | 3 cfs | → |
| N Frk Cache La Poudre R Blw Halligan Res Nr V Dal | 38 cfs | → |
| North Fork Cache La Poudre R. At Livermore | 4 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R A Mo Of Cn | 914 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River At Fort Collins | 299 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C | 299 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Henderson Drain Detention.
Fishing spots
- Sloans Lake
- Lake Absarraca
- Lower North Crow Reservoir
- Granite Springs Reservoir
- Upper North Crow Reservoir
- Smith Lake (Lar. Cty.) (Boxelder #3)
Track Henderson Drain Detention 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 Henderson Drain Detention
Where does the data for Henderson Drain Detention 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 Henderson Drain Detention.