Harris is an earth dam located in Niobrara County, Wyoming, built in 2000. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 35 ft35 ft tall and 428 ft long, taller than 80% 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 Harris
The primary purpose of Harris is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Michael V. Harris (private). It impounds the Bum Draw near Unnamed Ranch, Co. Road.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 428 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 281 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 2000, the structure is 26 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 05/01/2025.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Niobrara |
| Nearest City | Unnamed Ranch, Co. Road |
| River/Stream | Bum Draw |
| Coordinates | 43.50150, -104.36500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 428 ft |
| Year Completed | 2000 (26 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 281 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 281 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | Michael V. Harris |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/01/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY02237 |
| Federal ID | WY02237 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |