Donlin Detention Dam is an earth dam located in Natrona County, Wyoming, built in 1955. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 34 ft34 ft tall and 470 ft long, taller than 78% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Donlin Detention Dam
The primary purpose of Donlin Detention Dam is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Usdi BLM (federal). It impounds the Alkali Creek near Lysite.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 470 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 23 acres, and has a storage capacity of 233 acre-feet. Completed in 1955, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 07/26/2023.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Natrona |
| Nearest City | Lysite |
| River/Stream | Alkali Creek |
| Coordinates | 43.21194, -107.30667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 470 ft |
| Year Completed | 1955 (71 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 233 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 233 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 23 acres |
| Max Discharge | 415 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond |
| Owner | Usdi BLM |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/26/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY01435 |
| Federal ID | WY01435 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |