Ray Detention Dam dam
Ray Detention Dam
Ray Detention Dam, located in Worland, Wyoming, is a federal-owned structure managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Completed in 2003, this gravity dam serves primarily as a water supply resource, with a storage capacity of 100.4 acre-feet and a normal storage of 50.8 acre-feet. The dam stands at a structural height of 27 feet, with a hydraulic height of 23 feet, and spans a length of 528 feet.
Despite its low hazard potential, Ray Detention Dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with a moderate risk level. The dam's inspection frequency is set at every five years, with the last recorded inspection taking place in August 2016. The dam's spillway is of the uncontrolled type, with a width of 2 feet, and it is situated on the South Fork Wagon Prong Big Hor river or stream, within the Omaha District.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ray Detention Dam presents an intriguing case study in federal dam management, regulation, and maintenance. With its vital role in water supply and its location in a critical drainage area, the dam's condition and risk assessment underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance practices to ensure its continued functionality and safety in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Ray Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bighorn R At Worland Wyo | 4,350 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Powder River Near Barnum | 18 cfs | → |
| North Fork Powder River Near Hazelton | 3 cfs | → |
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| Nf Powder River Below Pass Creek | 50 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River At Basin | 1,080 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ray Detention Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campsite 3
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campsite 2
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campground
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campsite 1
- Leigh Creek Campground
- Leigh Creek
Track Ray Detention Dam 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 Ray Detention Dam
Where does the data for Ray Detention Dam 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 Ray Detention Dam.