Meadowlark dam
Meadowlark
Meadowlark is a federally-owned earth dam located in Washakie County, Wyoming, specifically in the city of Ten Sleep. Completed in 1938 by the USDA Forest Service, this dam primarily serves recreational purposes, including fish and wildlife management. Situated on the East Tensleep Creek, Meadowlark has a structural height of 33 feet and a hydraulic height of 21 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 5,505 acre-feet.
With a surface area of 276 acres and a drainage area of 39 square miles, Meadowlark poses a high hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated. The last inspection was conducted in October 2020, with an inspection frequency of 1 year. While the risk assessment for Meadowlark is moderate, with a DSAC assigned date of none, there is a lack of information on risk management measures and inundation maps prepared.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Meadowlark to be an intriguing structure with its historical significance and role in providing recreational opportunities in the Washakie County area. The dam's association with the USDA Forest Service adds to its environmental importance, making it a focal point for conservation efforts and potential risk mitigation strategies. As a key feature on the East Tensleep Creek, Meadowlark's management and maintenance will continue to be vital in ensuring the safety and sustainability of this water resource in Wyoming.
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 Meadowlark -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Powder River Near Hazelton | 3 cfs | → |
| South Piney Creek At Willow Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Nf Powder River Below Pass Creek | 50 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Above Shell Creek Reservoir | 12 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Buffalo | 28 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Buffalo | 70 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Meadowlark.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Veterans Cove Fishing Site
- Tie Hack Reservoir
- Upper Paintrock Fishing Site
- Lake Desmet
- Healy Lake
- Tongue River Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Meadowlark 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 Meadowlark
Where does the data for Meadowlark 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 Meadowlark.