James Lake dam
James Lake
James Lake, located in Albany County, Wyoming, is a privately owned irrigation reservoir with a primary purpose of providing water for agricultural use. Built in 1908, this earth dam stands at 40 feet in height and has a storage capacity of 41,100 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 1,393 acres and is fed by Seven Mile Creek, a tributary of the Little Laramie River.
Despite its age, James Lake is in poor condition and has a low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and a slide gate outlet, with a recent inspection conducted in August 2019. The reservoir serves as a critical source of water for irrigation in the region, supporting agriculture in the area.
With its historical significance and vital role in water resource management, James Lake is a valuable asset for the community of Bosler and surrounding areas. As climate change continues to impact water availability, the maintenance and management of this reservoir will be essential to ensure sustainable water supply for agricultural activities 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 James Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Laramie River Near Bosler | 1,950 cfs | → |
| Little Laramie River Near Filmore | 671 cfs | → |
| Laramie River At Laramie | 125 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Ab King Canyon Canal | 129 cfs | → |
| Pioneer Canal Near Woods | 174 cfs | → |
| Laramie R Bl Pioneer Canal Nr Woods Landing | 1,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Lake.
Boat launches
- Herrick Lane Albany County
- Lake Hattie Road Albany County
- Lake Hattie Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Twin Buttes Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Twin Buttes Reservoir Boat Launch
- Albany County
Campgrounds
- Lake Hattie Public Access Area - Wgf
- North Fork
- Twin Buttes Reservoir Public Access - Wgf
- Libby Creek Willow Campground
- Libby Creek Pine Campground
- Libby Creek
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track James Lake 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 James Lake
Where does the data for James Lake 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 James Lake.