Nicolaysen dam
Nicolaysen
Nicolaysen Dam, located in the Big Muddy Oil Field of Natrona, Wyoming, is a privately owned structure primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1899, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a storage capacity of 475 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 330 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 1500 feet and is situated on the Dry Muddy Creek, within the jurisdiction of the Wyoming State Regulatory Agency.
With a significant hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of 2017, Nicolaysen Dam poses a moderate risk according to a risk assessment evaluation. It features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet and an outlet gate controlled by a single valve. The dam has a hydraulic height of 15 feet and a structural height of 20 feet, serving the surrounding area with water for irrigation needs.
Despite its age, Nicolaysen Dam continues to be inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor and manage the risk associated with dams like Nicolaysen to safeguard communities and maintain the sustainable use of water resources 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 Nicolaysen -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Creek In Canyon | 49 cfs | → |
| Box Elder Creek At Boxelder | 26 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater River Near Alcova | 27 cfs | → |
| North Platte River At Orin | 612 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nicolaysen.
Boat launches
- Chalk Bluffs Boat Ramp
- Whitetail Day Use Area Boat Ramp
- Miles Landing Boat Ramp 1
- Miles Landing Boat Ramp 2
- Trapper Route Road Natrona County
- Ledge Creek Boat Stopoff
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Nicolaysen 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 Nicolaysen
Where does the data for Nicolaysen 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 Significant 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 Nicolaysen.