Atlas dam
Atlas
Atlas is a private dam located in Judith Basin, Montana, specifically in the city of Ross Fork. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 450 feet in length. Its primary purposes include fire protection, stock, and serving as a small fish pond, with a maximum storage capacity of 144 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is classified as having a low hazard potential.
Situated on the TR-Judith River, Atlas serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area, offering water for various uses while maintaining a low risk profile. The dam is equipped with state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols to ensure its safety and functionality. With its strategic location in Congressional District 00, Montana, Atlas plays a vital role in managing water resources for fire protection, agricultural needs, and wildlife habitat maintenance.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Atlas as a key infrastructure supporting sustainable water management in Judith Basin, Montana. Its historical construction and ongoing regulatory oversight by the DNRC underscore its importance in safeguarding water availability for the local community and ecosystem. As a private dam with multiple designated purposes, Atlas represents a model of responsible water resource management in the region, contributing to both environmental conservation and public safety efforts.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Atlas -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 161 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 182 cfs | → |
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Belt Creek Near Monarch Mt | 255 cfs | → |
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 434 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Ab Mud Cr Nr Shawmut Mt | 162 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Atlas.
Campgrounds
- Ackley Lake State Park
- Judith River State Wma
- Judith Station Campground
- Judith Station
- Judith Station Day Use Area
- Judith Guard Station Cabin
Fishing spots
- Ackley Lake Feeder Canal
- Dipping Vat Pond
- Running Wolf Creek
- Sage Creek (Judith Drainage)
- Middle Fork Judith River
- Dry Wolf Creek
Paddle runs
Track Atlas in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Atlas
Where does the data for Atlas come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Atlas.