Seminoe Dam
Seminoe Dam is a concrete dam located in Carbon County, Wyoming, built in 1938. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Seminoe Dam
The primary purpose of Seminoe Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the North Platte River near Red Buttes.
The dam stands 295 feet tall and stretches 530 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20,291 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,017,279 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7,158 square miles. Completed in 1938, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/28/2023.
At 295 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.
Location
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Carbon |
| Nearest City | Red Buttes |
| River/Stream | North Platte River |
| Coordinates | 42.15590, -106.90860 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 295 ft |
| Dam Height | 295 ft |
| Dam Length | 530 ft |
| Year Completed | 1938 (88 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,017,279 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,017,279 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,017,279 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20,291 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7,158 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 48,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | BUREAU OF RECLAMATION |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/28/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY01297 |
| Federal ID | WY01297 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |