Separation dam
Separation
Separation, also known as Deadman Lake, is a privately owned structure in Sweetwater, Wyoming, with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Built in 1927, this earth dam stands at 13 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 759 acre-feet, serving irrigation and other purposes in the region. The dam, located on Separation Creek, has a spillway width of 15 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, with a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment.
With its strategic location and efficient design, Separation plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the area. The dam not only provides protection against fires and supports local agriculture but also helps regulate water flow and maintain ecological balance in the region. Managed by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, Separation serves as a key infrastructure for water storage and distribution, ensuring sustainable water use for the community.
As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, understanding the significance of structures like Separation is essential for promoting water security and environmental sustainability. By recognizing the importance of proper dam management and maintenance, we can work towards building a more resilient and adaptive water resource system that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate. Separation stands as a testament to the critical role of infrastructure in water management and highlights the need for proactive measures to safeguard our water resources for future generations.
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 Separation -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Platte Riv Ab Seminoe Reservoir | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater River Near Alcova | 27 cfs | → |
| Jack Creek Above Coyote Draw | 133 cfs | → |
| Medicine Bow R Ab Seminoe Reservoir | 36 cfs | → |
| Pass Creek Near Elk Mountain | 149 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater River Near Sweetwater Station | 96 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Separation.
Boat launches
- Rim Lake Day Use Area Boat Launch
- Dugway Campground Boat Takeout
- Teton Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Teton Reservoir Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Separation 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 Separation
Where does the data for Separation 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 Separation.