Cook Lake dam
Cook Lake
Cook Lake in Wyoming is a federally owned reservoir located in Crook County near the town of Alva. Managed by the Forest Service, this Earth dam was completed in 1963 for the primary purpose of recreation, including fishing and wildlife viewing. With a height of 37 feet and a storage capacity of 805 acre-feet, this picturesque lake on Beaver Creek offers a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts.
Despite its tranquil facade, Cook Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway and the surrounding drainage area of 20 square miles. The dam, standing at 40 feet tall, has a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a structural height of 40 feet. While the condition assessment is marked as "Not Rated," regular inspections are conducted by the Forest Service to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate Cook Lake not only for its recreational opportunities but also for its role in managing water flow and storage in the region. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, this reservoir serves as a vital resource for wildlife and a popular destination for visitors seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Wyoming's natural beauty.
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 Cook Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche River Near Alva | 14 cfs | → |
| Sand Creek Near Ranch A | 36 cfs | → |
| Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line | 12 cfs | → |
| Redwater Cr At Wy-Sd State Line | 16 cfs | → |
| Crow Creek Near Beulah | 32 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cook Lake.
Campgrounds
- Cook Lake Recreation Area
- Cook Lake
- Bearlodge Campground
- Bearlodge
- Bearlodge - Usfs
- Usfs: Sundance Horse Camp
Fishing spots
- Keyhole Reservoir
- Yates Pond
- Turner Creek Reservoir
- Blackhills Power And Light Reservoir
- Deerfield Reservoir Complex
- Lak Reservoir
More reservoirs
Track Cook Lake 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 Cook Lake
Where does the data for Cook Lake 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 High 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 Cook Lake.