Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit dam
Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit
The Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit is a federal-owned fish and wildlife pond located in Ocean Lake, Wyoming. The dam, completed in 1993, stands at a height of 14 feet and has a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet. With a surface area of 54 acres and a maximum discharge of 120 cubic feet per second, this habitat unit plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem by providing a source of water for wildlife and aquatic species.
Despite its importance, the Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit is currently in poor condition, as indicated by a recent assessment in June 2020. The dam's hazard potential is classified as low, but there is a moderate risk associated with its operation. While the habitat unit is regulated and inspected by state agencies, there is room for improvement in its overall management and emergency preparedness. Given its critical role in supporting wildlife and maintaining ecological balance, it is essential to address the dam's condition to ensure its continued functionality and safety for the surrounding environment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to monitor and advocate for the maintenance and improvement of infrastructure like the Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit. By raising awareness about the dam's condition and advocating for necessary repairs and upgrades, we can contribute to the sustainability of the local ecosystem and ensure the continued availability of water resources for wildlife and future generations. Let us work together to protect and preserve this important habitat unit for the benefit of both wildlife and the environment.
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 Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wind River Near Kinnear | 994 cfs | → |
| Wind River At Riverton | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Little Wind River Near Riverton | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Wind River Ab Boysen Reservoir | 2,490 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Shoshoni | 158 cfs | → |
| Wind River Near Crowheart | 1,630 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lake Cameahwait - Usbr
- Shoshoni City Park
- Tough Creek Campground
- Lander City Park
- City Park
- Boysen State Park
Fishing spots
Track Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit 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 Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit
Where does the data for Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit 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 Peterson Area-Ocean Lake Habitat Unit.