Ponch dam
Ponch
Ponch is a privately owned earth dam located in Campbell, Wyoming, near Powderville Montana. Built in 1968 by designer Walter J Pilch, Ponch serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and a small fish pond. The dam stands at 19 feet high with a hydraulic height of 14 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 235 acre-feet and a normal storage of 114 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, Ponch is in poor condition as of the last inspection in August 2017.
Situated on White Tail Creek, Ponch has a spillway width of 50 feet and is equipped with a single slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. The dam's primary source agency is in Wyoming, and it falls under the jurisdiction of the State Regulatory Agency (SEO) with permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The risk assessment for Ponch is considered moderate, highlighting the need for ongoing management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With its unique location and multiple uses, Ponch remains a significant feature in the water resource and climate landscape of the region.
Ponch's presence on White Tail Creek not only provides essential water resources for fire protection and livestock but also contributes to the local ecosystem as a small fish pond. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the maintenance and management of structures like Ponch become increasingly crucial. With a focus on risk assessment and mitigation, stakeholders can work towards ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of Ponch as a valuable water resource in Campbell, Wyoming.
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 Ponch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Powder River Ab Dry Creek | 3 cfs | → |
| Wild Horse Creek Near Arvada | 0 cfs | → |
| Powder River At Moorhead Mt | 131 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Arvada | 256 cfs | → |
| Powder River At Arvada | 50 cfs | → |
| Stonepile Creek At Mouth | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ponch.
Fishing spots
See all →
About Ponch
Where does the data for Ponch 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 below 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.
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.