Cow Creek

SHELL CREEK· Sweetwater, Wyoming· Built 1987· Earth· 16 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Cow Creek is classified as low hazard in Wyoming. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 13.2% in WY)
Dam Length1,715 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage0 acre-ft
Normal Storage698 acre-ft
Surface Area93 acres
Drainage Area135 sq mi
Max Discharge1,270 cfs
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
Year Modified1987
NID IDWY01603

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 30, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SEO

Ownership

DIAMOND PEAK LAND COMPANY LLC

Private

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cow Creek?

Cow Creek is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cow Creek?

Cow Creek is owned by DIAMOND PEAK LAND COMPANY LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cow Creek built?

Cow Creek was completed in 1987, making it 39 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Cow Creek?

Cow Creek serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cow Creek?

Cow Creek has a dam height of 16 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Cow Creek last inspected?

Cow Creek was last inspected on June 30, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.