C. Thomsen dam
C. Thomsen
C. Thomsen, also known as Custer Lake, is a Federal-owned water resource located in Park, Wyoming. This earth dam, designed by Howard F. Bell in 1930, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, small fish pond, and irrigation. The dam stands at a height of 13 feet with a hydraulic height of 10 feet, providing a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 22 acres.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected by the regulatory agencies in Wyoming to ensure its fair condition and continued safety. The spillway, classified as "Uncontrolled", is 8 feet wide and capable of managing water discharge. The dam is equipped with other controlled outlet gates to manage water releases as needed. C. Thomsen is an important structure for water resource management in the area, contributing to both agricultural and environmental needs.
In the event of an emergency, the dam has protocols in place to manage potential risks, with a moderate risk assessment rating. With Liz Cheney (R) representing the Congressional District in which C. Thomsen is located, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water for various uses while ensuring the safety and security of the surrounding community. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, C. Thomsen serves as a fascinating example of how infrastructure can support both human and environmental needs in a sustainable manner.
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 C. Thomsen -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shoshone River Below Buffalo Bill Reservoir | 315 cfs | → |
| South Fork Shoshone River Ab Buffalo Bill Res | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Greybull River At Meeteetse | 338 cfs | → |
| North Fork Shoshone River At Wapiti | 3,750 cfs | → |
| South Fork Shoshone River Near Valley | 187 cfs | → |
| Shoshone River Near Lovell | 371 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near C. Thomsen.
Boat launches
- Andy Martin Hill Boat Ramp
- North Fork Shoshone River Boat Ramp
- Luce Reservoir Boat Launch
- Hogan Reservoir Boat Launch
- Harrington Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Wardell Reservoir Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Buffalo Bill State Park
- W.O.W. Cottage 3bed 2bath
- Homesteader Park
- Wheels Of Wonderment Motorcycle Campground
- Hogan And Luce Campground
- Hogan And Luce Campsite 1
Fishing spots
- Newton Lakes
- Buffalo Bill Reservoir
- Sunshine Lake (Lower)
- Sunshine Reservoir (Upper)
- Bridger Bend
- Big Horn Lake
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track C. Thomsen 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 C. Thomsen
Where does the data for C. Thomsen 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 C. Thomsen.