Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam dam
Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam
Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam, also known as the Evaporation Pond, is a privately owned earth dam located in Douglas, Wyoming. Completed in 1979, this dam serves a primary purpose other than flood control or water supply, with a normal storage capacity of 321 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 472 acre-feet. The dam, standing at a height of 17.5 feet, has a surface area of 40.2 acres and is situated in a drainage area of 0.26 square miles.
Although the dam has a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in May 2017, it is important to note that the risk assessment for this structure is moderate. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and has a maximum discharge capacity of 200 cubic feet per second. While it is not under the jurisdiction of a state regulatory agency, the dam is inspected, permitted, and enforced by the state, ensuring its compliance with safety standards. With its location in Converse County and its proximity to the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam to be a fascinating structure with unique characteristics and a significant impact on the surrounding area. From its design as an earth dam with a stone core to its moderate risk assessment and satisfactory condition, this dam presents an intriguing case study for those interested in the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and environmental stewardship. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, this dam showcases the importance of proper maintenance, inspection, and enforcement to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in Wyoming.
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 Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Creek In Canyon | 49 cfs | → |
| Box Elder Creek At Boxelder | 26 cfs | → |
| North Platte River At Orin | 612 cfs | → |
| North Platte River Below Glendo Reservoir | 5,710 cfs | → |
| Powder River At Sussex | 144 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam 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 Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam
Where does the data for Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam 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 Smith Ranch - Highland Satellite No. 2 Dam.