Browns Canyon 1

About Browns Canyon 1

The primary purpose of Browns Canyon 1 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 Gering Fort Laramie Irrigation District (local government). It impounds the Browns Canyon Drain near Mitchell.

The dam stands 62 feet tall and stretches 240 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 205 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1953, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 07/19/2022.

At 62 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.

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