Sand Mesa No. 2 dam
Sand Mesa No. 2
Sand Mesa No. 2 is a Federal-owned Earth dam located in Fremont County, Wyoming, specifically in the city of Boysen. Completed in 1977, this dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond along the Sand Mesa Drain Trail, with a storage capacity of 796 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 268 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 11 feet, with a structural height of 11 feet and a hydraulic height of 9 feet, spanning a length of 2400 feet and covering a surface area of 88 acres.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Sand Mesa No. 2 is regulated and inspected by the same agency, ensuring its safe operation and compliance with state jurisdiction and permitting requirements. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and one other controlled outlet gate. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is currently assessed as being in a condition where information on its state is not available, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Sand Mesa No. 2 in providing vital habitat for fish and wildlife in the region, while also recognizing the importance of proper dam management and maintenance to safeguard against potential hazards. The dam's location in a picturesque setting along the Sand Mesa Drain Trail adds to its value as both a functional infrastructure for water management and a harmonious element within the natural landscape. As a part of the broader water resource infrastructure in Wyoming, Sand Mesa No. 2 showcases the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship in ensuring a sustainable balance for both aquatic ecosystems and local 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 Sand Mesa No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Shoshoni | 158 cfs | → |
| Wind River Ab Boysen Reservoir | 2,490 cfs | → |
| Wind River At Riverton | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Little Wind River Near Riverton | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Wind River Near Kinnear | 994 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sand Mesa No. 2.
Boat launches
- Tough Creek Campground
- Brannon Road Fremont County
- Us 26;Wy 789 Fremont County
- Lower East River Road Hot Springs County
Campgrounds
- Tough Creek Campground
- Lake Cameahwait - Usbr
- Boysen State Park
- Shoshoni City Park
- Wyoming Garden And Rv
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Sand Mesa No. 2 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 Sand Mesa No. 2
Where does the data for Sand Mesa No. 2 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 Sand Mesa No. 2.