Cottonwood
Cottonwood is an earth dam located in Campbell County, Wyoming, built in 1994. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Cottonwood
The primary purpose of Cottonwood 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 Peabody Caballo Mining, Llc (private). It impounds the Little Rawhide Creek near Broadus, Mt.
The dam stands 41 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 103 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 21 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 28 square miles. Completed in 1994, the structure is 32 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 06/08/2023.
At 41 feet, this dam is taller than 88% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Campbell |
| Nearest City | Broadus, Mt |
| River/Stream | Little Rawhide Creek |
| Coordinates | 44.40583, -105.51333 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1994 (32 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,043 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 21 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,043 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 103 acres |
| Drainage Area | 28 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,261 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | PEABODY CABALLO MINING, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY02028 |
| Federal ID | WY02028 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |