Detention Dam 1492 No. 3 dam
Detention Dam 1492 No. 3
Detention Dam 1492 No. 3, located in Baggs, Wyoming, is a Federal-owned gravity dam primarily designed for debris control along the Rattle Draw river. Built in 1954 by the Bureau of Land Management, this structure stands at a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 21 feet, with a length of 493 feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, highlighting the need for potential maintenance and improvements.
With a storage capacity of 44.2 acre-feet and a normal storage of 2.53 acre-feet, Detention Dam 1492 No. 3 serves a critical role in managing flood risks and protecting downstream areas. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 18 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 28 cubic feet per second. Although the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, the dam's associated structures and inspection frequency suggest a commitment to ensuring its continued safety and functionality.
Overall, Detention Dam 1492 No. 3 remains a key landmark in the water resource management infrastructure of Carbon County, Wyoming. Its historical significance, combined with its essential role in debris control and flood mitigation, underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this critical structure for both water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
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 Detention Dam 1492 No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muddy Creek Below Young Draw | 3 cfs | → |
| Little Snake River Near Dixon | 415 cfs | → |
| Slater Fork Near Slater | 62 cfs | → |
| Little Snake River Near Slater | 317 cfs | → |
| Jack Creek Above Coyote Draw | 133 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Detention Dam 1492 No. 3.
Track Detention Dam 1492 No. 3 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 Detention Dam 1492 No. 3
Where does the data for Detention Dam 1492 No. 3 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 Detention Dam 1492 No. 3.