Coal Bank dam
Coal Bank
Coal Bank, located in Albany, Wyoming, is a privately owned dam used primarily for irrigation on Coal Bank Creek. Constructed in 1953, this earth dam stands at 19 feet high and spans 620 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 88 acre-feet, it serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite its low hazard potential, Coal Bank is in poor condition as of the last inspection in 2017. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 30 feet and two slide gates for outlet control. While it poses a moderate risk, the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its integrity and safety.
As a key infrastructure for water management in the region, Coal Bank faces the challenge of maintaining its structural integrity and functionality. With proper risk management measures and regular inspections, this dam can continue to support irrigation needs while mitigating potential hazards to the environment and surrounding communities.
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 Coal Bank -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Creek Ab King Canyon Canal | 129 cfs | → |
| Laramie River Near Bosler | 1,950 cfs | → |
| L Medicine Bow R At Boles Spring | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Laramie River Near Filmore | 671 cfs | → |
| Laramie River At Laramie | 125 cfs | → |
| Pass Creek Near Elk Mountain | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Coal Bank.
Boat launches
- East Allen Lake Boat Launch
- Carbon County
- East Allen Lake Boat Ramp
- Wheatland Reservoir #3 Boat Ramp
- Palmer Canyon Road Albany County
- Wheatland Reservoir #3 Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- East Allen Lake Public Access - Wgf
- Wheatland Reservoir No. 3/Post Lake Access - Wgf
- Deep Creek
- Bow River Campground
- Bow River
- Bow River Ranger Station
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Coal Bank 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 Coal Bank
Where does the data for Coal Bank 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 Coal Bank.