Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.) dam
Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.)
Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.), also known as Foster No. 1 North Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Park County, Wyoming. Constructed in 1953 by designer Howard F. Bell, this earth dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 710 feet in length, serving primarily for irrigation purposes on Sage Creek. With a storage capacity of 783 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Despite its age, Foster No. 1 Dam 1b remains in fair condition with a low hazard potential, according to a condition assessment conducted in August 2019. The dam has no spillway and outlet gates, but it is regularly inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. The risk assessment for this dam indicates a moderate risk level, prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures to mitigate any potential hazards and ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
Located in a picturesque setting near the city of Byron, Foster No. 1 Dam 1b is a key piece of infrastructure that contributes to the water resource management in the area. With its historic significance and continued importance in supporting irrigation activities, this dam serves as a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of its designer, Howard F. Bell. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and appreciating the role of dams like Foster No. 1 Dam 1b can help us better appreciate the intricate relationship between water management, agriculture, and sustainability in our changing climate.
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 Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Shoshone River Ab Buffalo Bill Res | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Shoshone River Below Buffalo Bill Reservoir | 315 cfs | → |
| North Fork Shoshone River At Wapiti | 3,750 cfs | → |
| Greybull River At Meeteetse | 338 cfs | → |
| South Fork Shoshone River Near Valley | 187 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood C At High Island Rnch Nr Hamilton Dome | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.).
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Buffalo Bill State Park
- Bobcat-Houlihan Lower Camping Area
- Bobcat-Houlihan Recreation Area
- Bobcat-Houlihan Upper Camping Area
- W.O.W. Cottage 3bed 2bath
- Wheels Of Wonderment Motorcycle Campground
Track Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.) 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 Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.)
Where does the data for Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.) 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 Foster No. 1 Dam 1b (2nd Enl.).