Cavender dam
Cavender
Cavender is a private irrigation dam located in Albany, Wyoming, along the Dutton Creek. Built in 1943, this earth dam stands at 15 feet high and spans 1800 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1147 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this structure is irrigation, with additional functions for fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond support. Despite its age, Cavender has a low hazard potential and is assessed to be in fair condition, with a moderate risk rating.
Managed by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, Cavender undergoes regular inspections every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 200 feet and a single valve outlet gate. Situated in a picturesque setting, surrounded by 141 acres of surface area, Cavender contributes to the local water resource management and agricultural activities in the region. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, Cavender serves as a vital component of the water infrastructure in Wyoming, supporting both irrigation and environmental conservation efforts in the area.
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 Cavender -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Laramie River Near Bosler | 1,950 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Ab King Canyon Canal | 129 cfs | → |
| Little Laramie River Near Filmore | 671 cfs | → |
| Laramie River At Laramie | 125 cfs | → |
| L Medicine Bow R At Boles Spring | 10 cfs | → |
| Pioneer Canal Near Woods | 174 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cavender.
Boat launches
- Herrick Lane Albany County
- Wheatland Reservoir #3 Boat Ramp
- Palmer Canyon Road Albany County
- Wheatland Reservoir #3 Boat Launch
- East Allen Lake Boat Launch
- Carbon County
Campgrounds
- Wheatland Reservoir No. 3/Post Lake Access - Wgf
- East Allen Lake Public Access - Wgf
- Deep Creek
- North Fork
- Brooklyn Lake Campground
- Brooklyn Lake
Fishing spots
Track Cavender 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 Cavender
Where does the data for Cavender 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 Cavender.