Orchard dam
Orchard
Orchard is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Tensleep, Wyoming, along the Nowood River. Built in 1941, this earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and has a hydraulic height of 35 feet, serving the primary purpose of irrigation. With a total storage capacity of 348 acre-feet, Orchard reservoir covers a surface area of 22 acres and has a drainage area of 0 square miles. The dam is regulated by the State Engineer's Office (SEO), with inspections conducted regularly to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite its age, Orchard dam is in fair condition with a low hazard potential, making it a relatively safe structure. The spillway, with a width of 38 feet, is uncontrolled, and the dam features a single valve outlet gate. The risk assessment for Orchard rates it as moderate (3), indicating a moderate level of risk associated with the dam. While no emergency action plan (EAP) has been prepared for Orchard as of the last update in 2018, regular inspections and maintenance help mitigate potential risks and ensure the dam continues to serve its irrigation purpose effectively.
Overall, Orchard dam remains a vital component of the irrigation infrastructure in Washakie County, Wyoming, providing essential water resources for agricultural activities along the Nowood River. Its historical significance, coupled with its ongoing regulatory oversight and maintenance efforts, highlight the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience can appreciate the role that Orchard plays in supporting local agriculture and water supply needs in the region.
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 Orchard -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Powder River Near Barnum | 21 cfs | → |
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| North Fork Powder River Near Hazelton | 3 cfs | → |
| Nf Powder River Below Pass Creek | 50 cfs | → |
| Bighorn R At Worland Wyo | 4,350 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Shoshoni | 86 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Orchard.
Track Orchard 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 Orchard
Where does the data for Orchard 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 Orchard.