Big Donaldson Dam
Big Donaldson
Big Donaldson is a privately owned earth dam located in Johnson County, Wyoming, near the city of Clearmont. Completed in 1973, this dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. With a height of 22 feet and a length of 475 feet, Big Donaldson has a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 10 acres. The dam is regulated by the State of Wyoming and is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure with a fair condition assessment, Big Donaldson poses a moderate risk according to a recent assessment. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 90 feet, and there are no outlet gates associated with the structure. The last inspection of Big Donaldson took place in July 2018, and it is scheduled for inspection every 5 years to evaluate its safety and maintenance needs. The dam is located on the Double Crossing Draw river or stream and is situated within the jurisdiction of the State of Wyoming.
Overall, Big Donaldson is an essential infrastructure for water resource management in the region, providing valuable services for fire protection, livestock, and recreational activities. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is crucial to monitor and maintain structures like Big Donaldson to ensure the safety and sustainability of water supplies in the area. With its strategic location and functional design, Big Donaldson plays a critical role in water management efforts in Johnson County, Wyoming.
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 Big Donaldson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky River Nr Starr | 48 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Ab Elberton Ga | 28 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Williamston | 159 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 34 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 263 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Donaldson.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Big Donaldson
Where does the data for Big Donaldson 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 below 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.
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.