Rawlins Peaking dam
Rawlins Peaking
Rawlins Peaking is a crucial water resource infrastructure located in Wyoming, specifically in Carbon County. Completed in 1965, this dam stands at a height of 38 feet and has a storage capacity of 426 acre-feet. It serves primarily as a water supply source, with a normal storage level of 347 acre-feet, ensuring a reliable water source for the surrounding area. The dam, designed by Robert Jack Smith, is of the earth type with a stone core and soil foundation, showcasing the ingenuity in engineering design and construction.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Rawlins Peaking poses a high risk, prompting the need for rigorous risk management measures. The dam is subject to regular inspections, with the last one conducted in July 2017, and a designated inspection frequency of 5 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While the dam currently has no spillway, it features three outlet valves for controlled water release when needed. The surrounding area, including the city of Alcova, benefits from this critical water infrastructure, highlighting its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
Rawlins Peaking represents a vital component of the water supply system in Wyoming, contributing to the sustainable management of water resources in the region. As a state-regulated and state-jurisdictional structure, it undergoes rigorous permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. With its strategic location on Sage Creek and a drainage area of 0, the dam plays a key role in water storage and distribution, supporting various purposes beyond water supply. As climate change impacts continue to unfold, the maintenance and enhancement of infrastructure like Rawlins Peaking will be essential in mitigating risks and ensuring water security for the community and surrounding areas.
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 Rawlins Peaking -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Platte Riv Ab Seminoe Reservoir | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Jack Creek Above Coyote Draw | 133 cfs | → |
| Pass Creek Near Elk Mountain | 149 cfs | → |
| Encampment River At Mouth | 621 cfs | → |
| Medicine Bow R Ab Seminoe Reservoir | 36 cfs | → |
| North Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 142 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rawlins Peaking.
Boat launches
- Rim Lake Day Use Area Boat Launch
- Teton Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Teton Reservoir Boat Launch
- Dugway Campground Boat Takeout
Campgrounds
- Teton Reservoir Campsite 5
- Teton Reservoir Campground
- Teton Reservoir Campsite 4
- Teton Reservoir
- Teton Reservoir Campsite 1
- Teton Reservoir Campsite 3
Track Rawlins Peaking 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 Rawlins Peaking
Where does the data for Rawlins Peaking 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 Rawlins Peaking.