Mertz No. 2

LARAMIE RIVER OFFSTREAM· Platte, Wyoming· Built 1905· Earth· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Mertz No. 2 is classified as low hazard in Wyoming. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 19.5% in WY)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage125 acre-ft
Normal Storage87 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1905 (121 years old)
NID IDWY00026

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: March 28, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SEO

Ownership

OLD HOME LLC

Private

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Wyoming Development Company No. 1

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North Laramie Land Company No. 1

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Miller

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mertz No. 2?

Mertz No. 2 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 Mertz No. 2?

Mertz No. 2 is owned by OLD HOME LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mertz No. 2 built?

Mertz No. 2 was completed in 1905, making it 121 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 Mertz No. 2?

Mertz No. 2 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 Mertz No. 2?

Mertz No. 2 has a dam height of 19 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 Mertz No. 2 last inspected?

Mertz No. 2 was last inspected on March 28, 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.