Goshen Hole dam
Goshen Hole
Goshen Hole, also known as Springer, is a privately owned irrigation structure located in Goshen, Wyoming, near the city of Yoder. Completed in 1957, this Earth-type dam stands at 26 feet high with a hydraulic height of 22 feet and a length of 1220 feet. It serves multiple purposes including irrigation, fish and wildlife pond, and recreation, with a storage capacity of 8109 acre-feet and a surface area of 787 acres.
Despite its significance in providing water for irrigation and other activities, Goshen Hole is facing challenges in terms of maintenance and safety. The dam is rated as having a poor condition assessment, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection conducted in May 2019 revealed the need for improvements, and it is categorized as having a moderate risk level. Emergency action plans and risk management measures are currently not up to date, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure.
Given its location on Offstream Horse Creek and its role in water resource management, climate enthusiasts and stakeholders should pay close attention to the condition and management of Goshen Hole. As a vital infrastructure for irrigation and recreation in the area, efforts to improve its condition, update emergency plans, and implement risk management measures are crucial to safeguarding the surrounding communities and ecosystems that rely on this water resource.
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 Goshen Hole -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Platte River At Wyoming-Nebraska State Line | 193 cfs | → |
| Laramie River Near Fort Laramie | 41 cfs | → |
| North Platte River Below Whalen Diversion Dam | · | → |
| Sybille Creek Ab Canal No. 3 | 93 cfs | → |
| Sybille Creek Ab Mule Creek | 143 cfs | → |
| Lodgepole Creek At Bushnell | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Goshen Hole.
Campgrounds
- Hawk Springs State Rec Area
- Scenic Knolls City Golf Course And Campground
- Zeigler Park - Mitchell
- Grayrocks Reservoir Public Access - Wgf
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Goshen Hole 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 Goshen Hole
Where does the data for Goshen Hole 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 Significant 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 Goshen Hole.