Lake Owen

LAKE OWEN CREEK· Albany, Wyoming· Built 1963· Earth· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Owen is classified as high hazard in Wyoming. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 32.5% in WY)
Dam Length775 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage751 acre-ft
Surface Area120 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,097 cfs
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDWY00117

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 29, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SEO

Ownership

CITY OF CHEYENNE-BOPU

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Owen?

Lake Owen is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Owen?

Lake Owen is owned by CITY OF CHEYENNE-BOPU (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Owen built?

Lake Owen was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Lake Owen?

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

How tall is Lake Owen?

Lake Owen has a dam height of 23 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 Lake Owen last inspected?

Lake Owen was last inspected on July 29, 2021. 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.