Kemmerer
Kemmerer is an earth dam located in Lincoln County, Wyoming, built in 1942. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Kemmerer
The primary purpose of Kemmerer is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Kemmerer (local government). It impounds the Hams Fork River near Kemmerer.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 850 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 183 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,370 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 271 square miles. Completed in 1942, 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. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/07/2025.
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 | Lincoln |
| Nearest City | Kemmerer |
| River/Stream | Hams Fork River |
| Coordinates | 41.93900, -110.65200 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 850 ft |
| Year Completed | 1942 (84 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,370 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,370 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,769 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 183 acres |
| Drainage Area | 271 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 27,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF KEMMERER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/07/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY01282 |
| Federal ID | WY01282 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |