Carey Detention
Carey Detention is an earth dam located in Laramie County, Wyoming, built in 1984. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Carey Detention
The primary purpose of Carey Detention is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Cheyenne (local government). It impounds the Dry Creek Trib. Of Crow Creek near Cheyenne.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 1,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a storage capacity of 131 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1984, the structure is 42 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/13/2023.
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 | Laramie |
| Nearest City | Cheyenne |
| River/Stream | Dry Creek Trib. Of Crow Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.15750, -104.79556 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1984 (42 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 131 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 131 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF CHEYENNE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY01586 |
| Federal ID | WY01586 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |