Donlin Detention Dam dam
Donlin Detention Dam
Nestled in Natrona County, Wyoming, the Donlin Detention Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience. Built in 1955 by the Bureau of Land Management, this earth dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock watering, and creating a small fish pond. With a height of 34 feet and a length of 470 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 233 acre-feet, ensuring a stable water supply for the surrounding area.
Despite its crucial role in safeguarding the community, the Donlin Detention Dam has faced challenges in recent years. A 2018 inspection revealed poor conditions, prompting concerns about its long-term viability. While the dam's hazard potential is classified as low, its risk assessment indicates moderate vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for comprehensive risk management measures. As climate change continues to impact water resources, stakeholders must prioritize the maintenance and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure like the Donlin Detention Dam to ensure the safety and sustainability of the region.
As water enthusiasts and climate advocates alike look towards the future, the Donlin Detention Dam serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between human needs and environmental stewardship. With its strategic location on Alkali Creek and proximity to Lysite, the dam plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks and providing essential water resources. By addressing the dam's maintenance and condition assessment needs, stakeholders can uphold its legacy as a resilient structure that safeguards both people and nature in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Donlin Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Powder River Near Barnum | 22 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Shoshoni | 99 cfs | → |
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| Wind River Ab Boysen Reservoir | 377 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater River Near Alcova | 27 cfs | → |
| Nf Powder River Below Pass Creek | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Donlin Detention Dam.
Track Donlin 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 Donlin Detention Dam
Where does the data for Donlin 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 Donlin Detention Dam.