Bischoff Creek dam
Bischoff Creek
Bischoff Creek, located in Big Horn, Wyoming, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1974, this structure stands at a height of 34 feet and has a storage capacity of 152 acre-feet. The dam spans 427 feet in length and is equipped with a valve outlet gate for water release.
Despite its low hazard potential, Bischoff Creek's condition assessment indicates poor maintenance as of the last inspection in 2017. With a moderate risk rating of 3, there is room for improvement in risk management measures to ensure the safety and functionality of this crucial water resource. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 20 feet, serving as a key feature for managing water flow during peak periods.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Bischoff Creek can appreciate its historical significance as a vital irrigation infrastructure in the region. With a focus on improving maintenance and risk management, stakeholders can work towards preserving this essential water source for agricultural needs and environmental sustainability in the future.
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 Bischoff Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bighorn River At Kane | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Shoshone River Near Lovell | 391 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Shell | 74 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River At Basin | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Little Bighorn River At State Line Nr Wyola Mt | 180 cfs | → |
| West Pass Creek Near Parkman | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bischoff Creek.
Boat launches
- Big Horn County
- Us 14 Greybull
- Barry's Landing Road Carbon County
- Harrington Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Wardell Reservoir Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 5
- Cottonwood Creek Campground
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 4
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 1
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 2
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 3
Fishing spots
- Big Horn Lake
- Tongue River Fishing West
- Tongue River Fishing East
- Tongue River Fishing Site
- Bighorn Lake
- Upper Paintrock Fishing Site
Track Bischoff Creek 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 Bischoff Creek
Where does the data for Bischoff Creek 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 Bischoff Creek.