Located in Big Horn, Wyoming, Buffalo Flat is a federal-owned earth dam primarily designed for water supply purposes along Catnip Draw.
Wind
Humidity
Standing at a height of 20 feet with a length of 525 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet and a spillway width of 180 feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is marked as unsatisfactory, indicating a need for maintenance and improvement to ensure its long-term safety and functionality.
Regulated by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, Buffalo Flat is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are currently unspecified. The last inspection in June 2019 highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring and potential updates to its condition assessment, emphasizing the importance of proactive risk mitigation strategies to safeguard the surrounding community and water resources in the region. Enthusiasts of water resource management and climate resilience will find Buffalo Flat to be an intriguing case study in balancing the dual priorities of water supply and dam safety in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Dam Length |
525 |
Dam Height |
20 |
River Or Stream |
CATNIP DRAW |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Hydraulic Height |
20 |
Nid Storage |
52 |
Structural Height |
20 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Unlisted/Unknown |
Nid Height |
20 |
Shell Creek Near Shell
|
74cfs |
Bighorn River At Basin
|
996cfs |
Shell Creek Above Shell Creek Reservoir
|
13cfs |
Bighorn R At Worland Wyo
|
4350cfs |
South Piney Creek At Willow Park
|
0cfs |
Bighorn River At Kane
|
1340cfs |