Okie dam
Okie
Okie is a private irrigation dam located in Lost Cabin, Wyoming, along the Badwater Creek. Built in 1898, this earth dam stands at 26 feet high and spans 1240 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 283 acre-feet. Despite its age, Okie is still in use for irrigation purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 213 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 250 cubic feet per second.
However, the condition assessment of Okie is rated as poor, with a significant hazard potential. The dam is classified as having a moderate risk level, with a need for risk management measures to be implemented. The last inspection took place in June 2017, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. The dam is regulated by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols in place.
In the event of an emergency, Okie does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, and the condition assessment raises concerns about its safety. The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a spillway width of 10 feet. With Liz Cheney representing the Congressional District, there is a need for continued monitoring and maintenance of Okie to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and water resources in Fremont County, 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 Okie -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Powder River Near Barnum | 21 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Shoshoni | 86 cfs | → |
| Wind River Ab Boysen Reservoir | 2,390 cfs | → |
| Wind River At Riverton | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Little Wind River Near Riverton | 708 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Okie.
Track Okie 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 Okie
Where does the data for Okie 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 Significant 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 Okie.