Shorty's dam
Shorty's
Shorty's Dam, located in Washakie, Wyoming, is a federal-owned structure designed by Edmond R. Bates. Completed in 1962, this earth dam on Shorty's Draw serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock water, and a small fish pond. The dam stands at 26 feet high and spans 500 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and a surface area of 5 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, Shorty's Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition. The last inspection in June 2021 revealed this, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 110 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 1000 cubic feet per second. With a moderate risk rating and a need for improvement in its condition, Shorty's Dam is a significant water resource structure in need of attention and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety for the surrounding community.
In the heart of Wyoming's scenic landscape, Shorty's Dam presents both a practical and environmental asset for the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and advocating for the maintenance and improvement of such structures is crucial for preserving the delicate balance of water management and ecological sustainability in this area. With its historical significance and vital role in providing essential services, Shorty's Dam stands as a reminder of the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing demands on our natural resources.
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 Shorty's -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bighorn R At Worland Wyo | 4,350 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Powder River Near Barnum | 21 cfs | → |
| North Fork Powder River Near Hazelton | 3 cfs | → |
| Wind R Bl Boysen Res Wyo | 819 cfs | → |
| Nf Powder River Below Pass Creek | 50 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River At Basin | 1,440 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shorty's.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campsite 3
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campsite 2
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campground
- Castle Gardens Scenic Area Campsite 1
- Leigh Creek Campground
- Leigh Creek
Track Shorty's 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 Shorty's
Where does the data for Shorty's 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 Shorty's.