Swan Creek No. 7 dam
Swan Creek No. 7
Swan Creek No. 7 is a historic Earth dam located in Cody, Wyoming, along the Swan Creek. Built in 1911 for irrigation purposes, this structure stands at a height of 22 feet and has a storage capacity of 121 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is still in use and is regulated by the State of Wyoming, with regular inspections ensuring its safety and functionality. The dam is equipped with a valve outlet gate and an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 80 feet, serving as a low hazard potential structure with a poor condition assessment.
Although Swan Creek No. 7 may have a moderate risk level, its unique design and location make it an essential component of the local water resource management system. The dam's primary purpose of irrigation serves the surrounding agricultural community, ensuring a reliable water supply for crops and livestock. Its stone core and soil foundation contribute to its longevity, while its proximity to the Swan Creek provides a picturesque setting for water and climate enthusiasts to observe the intersection of human engineering and natural waterways.
With its historical significance and ongoing operational importance, Swan Creek No. 7 stands as a testament to the ingenuity of early water resource management in Wyoming. As climate change impacts water availability and usage patterns, structures like this Earth dam play a crucial role in sustaining agricultural activities and preserving local ecosystems. Through continued monitoring and maintenance, Swan Creek No. 7 remains a valuable asset for the community and a symbol of the enduring connection between water resources and climate resilience.
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 Swan Creek No. 7 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Shoshone River Ab Buffalo Bill Res | 1,250 cfs | → |
| North Fork Shoshone River At Wapiti | 3,750 cfs | → |
| Shoshone River Below Buffalo Bill Reservoir | 315 cfs | → |
| South Fork Shoshone River Near Valley | 187 cfs | → |
| Greybull River At Meeteetse | 338 cfs | → |
| Clarks Fork Yellowstone River Nr Belfry Mt | 5,570 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swan Creek No. 7.
Boat launches
- Andy Martin Hill Boat Ramp
- North Fork Shoshone River Boat Ramp
- Luce Reservoir Boat Launch
- Hogan Reservoir Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Bobcat-Houlihan Lower Camping Area
- Bobcat-Houlihan Recreation Area
- Bobcat-Houlihan Upper Camping Area
- W.O.W. Cottage 3bed 2bath
- Buffalo Bill State Park
- Wheels Of Wonderment Motorcycle Campground
Track Swan Creek No. 7 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 Swan Creek No. 7
Where does the data for Swan Creek No. 7 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 Swan Creek No. 7.