James Lake

SEVEN MILE CR, LIT. LARAMIE R.· Albany, Wyoming· Built 1908· Earth· 40 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

James Lake is classified as low hazard in Wyoming. It was completed in 1908 and is 118 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 86.7% in WY)
Dam Length770 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage41.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage9.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,393 acres
Drainage Area28 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1908 (118 years old)
Year Modified1989
NID IDWY01714

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: August 25, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SEO

Ownership

HARRIS RANCH (SCOTT WILSON)

Private

Nearby Dams

Cavender

Albany, WY

Low Hazard 12 ft

Dutton Creek

Albany, WY

Low Hazard 31 ft

King No. 1

Albany, WY

Low Hazard 24 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of James Lake?

James Lake 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 James Lake?

James Lake is owned by HARRIS RANCH (SCOTT WILSON) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was James Lake built?

James Lake was completed in 1908, making it 118 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 James Lake?

James Lake serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is James Lake?

James Lake has a dam height of 40 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 James Lake last inspected?

James Lake was last inspected on August 25, 2019. 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.