Little Joe Detention is a federal-owned structure located in Washakie, Wyoming, designed and regulated by the Bureau of Land Management. Completed in 2003, this gravity dam on the Hampton Draw Big Horn River stands at a structural height of 25 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 40.02 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 204.1 acre-feet, it serves various purposes beyond flood control and water supply.

Despite its low hazard potential, Little Joe Detention is in poor condition and is inspected every five years. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 2 feet and a length of 657 feet, serving as a vital infrastructure for managing water resources in the region. With a moderate risk assessment rating, there is a need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and efficiency of this critical water management structure.

Located in Worland, WY, Little Joe Detention underscores the importance of maintaining and upgrading aging water infrastructure to adapt to changing climate conditions and enhance water resource management. As a key component of the water infrastructure network in Wyoming, it highlights the critical role of federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management in overseeing, funding, and maintaining essential water resources facilities for the benefit of communities and ecosystems in the region.