Big Timber Sewage Lagoon dam
Big Timber Sewage Lagoon
Big Timber Sewage Lagoon in Montana is a local government-owned facility situated near the Yellowstone River, serving as a crucial component of the state's wastewater management system. Built in 1959, this Earth dam structure stands at 15 feet high and has a storage capacity of 270 acre-feet, providing essential treatment and disposal of sewage for the community of Big Timber. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the lagoon is regulated and inspected by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to ensure compliance with state standards.
Despite its relatively modest size and capacity, Big Timber Sewage Lagoon plays a vital role in safeguarding water resources and the local environment. The lagoon's primary purpose of wastewater treatment underscores its importance in protecting water quality and public health, with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place to maintain operational efficiency and compliance. As part of the state's infrastructure, this facility exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience, highlighting the need for sustainable practices in wastewater treatment and disposal.
Located in Sweet Grass County, Montana, Big Timber Sewage Lagoon symbolizes the interconnectedness of water resources, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. With a focus on effective management and regulation, this facility serves as a model for sustainable wastewater treatment practices in a changing climate. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, we recognize the critical role that facilities like Big Timber Sewage Lagoon play in maintaining the health and integrity of our water systems, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and adaptation to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
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 Big Timber Sewage Lagoon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder River At Big Timber Mt | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Shields River Nr Livingston Mt | 347 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Absarokee Mt | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Livingston Mt | 8,020 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Ab Mud Cr Nr Shawmut Mt | 136 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 245 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Timber Sewage Lagoon.
Boat launches
- Howie Road Sweet Grass County
- North Yellowstone Trail Road Sweet Grass County
- Greycliff Bridge Sweet Grass County
- West Frontage Road Stillwater County
- Park County
- Us 89 Park County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Big Timber Sewage Lagoon 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 Big Timber Sewage Lagoon
Where does the data for Big Timber Sewage Lagoon 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 Big Timber Sewage Lagoon.