Laprele

About Laprele

The primary purpose of Laprele is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Laprele Irrigation District (private). It impounds the La Prele Cr, Tr N Platte River near Douglas.

The dam stands 135 feet tall and stretches 320 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 728 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 26,850 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 188 square miles. Completed in 1909, the structure is over a century old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/08/2022.

At 135 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Wyoming dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.