Sand Lake dam
Sand Lake
Sand Lake, also known as Wheatland Reservoir, is a private water resource located in Carbon County, Wyoming. Managed by the Sacramento District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this reservoir on Deep Creek serves multiple purposes including irrigation, fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond. The earth dam, completed in 1956, stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 1,660 acre-feet.
With a surface area of 92 acres and a drainage area of 4 square miles, Sand Lake plays a significant role in water management in the region. The reservoir has a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge of 1,250 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition according to its last inspection in August 2018.
Sand Lake is a vital water source in Wyoming, providing essential resources for agriculture and wildlife in the area. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the management and maintenance of reservoirs like Sand Lake are crucial for ensuring water security and sustainability in the region. With its rich history and strategic location on Deep Creek, Sand Lake remains a key asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate.
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 Sand Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Creek Ab King Canyon Canal | 384 cfs | → |
| North Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 142 cfs | → |
| South Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 18 cfs | → |
| Little Laramie River Near Filmore | 671 cfs | → |
| Pass Creek Near Elk Mountain | 149 cfs | → |
| Encampment River At Mouth | 621 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sand Lake.
Boat launches
- Blm 3404 Carbon County
- Bennett Creek Campground Boat Ramp
- Lake Hattie Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Lake Hattie Road Albany County
- Herrick Lane Albany County
- Twin Buttes Reservoir Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Deep Creek
- Brooklyn Lake Campground
- Brooklyn Lake
- Little Brooklyn Guard Station
- Bow River Campground
- Bow River
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Sand 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 Sand Lake
Where does the data for Sand 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 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 Sand Lake.