Winchester dam
Winchester
Winchester, located in Johnson County, Wyoming, is a private irrigation dam on the Gassett Draw river. Built in 1961, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a storage capacity of 566 acre-feet, primarily used for irrigation purposes. Despite its low hazard potential, Winchester is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with its last inspection in August 2019 revealing the need for maintenance and repairs.
The dam's spillway, of uncontrolled type with a width of 50 feet, poses a moderate risk according to the latest assessment. While Winchester has state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, its condition raises concerns for potential risks in the future. With Liz Cheney as the Congressional Representative overseeing this area, it is essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and advocate for the maintenance and improvement of Winchester to ensure the safety and sustainability of its operations.
As a key structure for irrigation in the region, Winchester plays a crucial role in water resource management. Given its location in a state known for its natural beauty and ecological diversity, the conservation and upkeep of Winchester are vital for preserving the delicate balance of the local ecosystem. By staying informed and actively engaging in discussions surrounding Winchester's condition and maintenance, enthusiasts can contribute to the long-term resilience and sustainability of water resources in Wyoming.
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 Winchester -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Creek Near Buffalo | 116 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Buffalo | 70 cfs | → |
| Nf Powder River Below Pass Creek | 50 cfs | → |
| Piney Creek At Kearny | 113 cfs | → |
| North Fork Powder River Near Hazelton | 3 cfs | → |
| South Piney Creek At Willow Park | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Winchester.
Campgrounds
- Canyon Campground
- Muddy Guard Cabin
- Crazy Woman Campground
- Pole Creek Cabin
- Tie Hack
- Lost Cabin Campground
Fishing spots
- Healy Lake
- Tie Hack Reservoir
- Lake Desmet
- Veterans Cove Fishing Site
- Upper Paintrock Fishing Site
- Sheridan Fairgrounds Pond
More reservoirs
Track Winchester 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 Winchester
Where does the data for Winchester 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 Winchester.