Keep Cool dam
Keep Cool
Keep Cool is a private irrigation dam located on Keep Cool Creek in Meagher, Montana. Built in 1950 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 342 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation and is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Despite being rated as "Significant" in terms of hazard potential, Keep Cool has not been assessed for its current condition. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in October 1993, highlighting the need for updated safety evaluations to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the structure. With a spillway width of 30 feet, the dam is designed to manage potential overflow and protect downstream areas from flooding.
Located in Congressional District 00, Montana, Keep Cool plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor the condition of dams like Keep Cool to safeguard against potential risks and ensure the sustainable use of water for irrigation and other purposes.
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 Keep Cool -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt | 151 cfs | → |
| Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt | 270 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Bl Hauser Lake Nr Helena Mt | 3,350 cfs | → |
| Prickly Pear Creek Near Clancy Mt | 36 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Eden Mt | 361 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Toston Mt | 3,510 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Keep Cool.
Boat launches
- West Loop Broadwater County
- East Shore Drive Lewis And Clark County
- Canyon Ferry Road Lewis And Clark County
- Canyon Ferry Road 7604, Lewis And Clark County
- Devils Elbow Boat Ramp
- York Road Lewis And Clark County
Campgrounds
- Thompson Guard Station
- Gipsy Lake
- Gipsy Lake Campground
- Newlan Creek Reservoir Fas
- Calf Creek Cabin
- Bar Gulch Cabin
Fishing spots
- Rock Creek (Smith Drainage)
- Sheep Creek (Smith Drainage)
- Newlan Reservoir
- Duck Creek (Upper Missouri Drainage)
- Newlan Creek
- Tenderfoot Creek
Paddle runs
- Camp Baker To Eden Bridge
- Falls, Sec. 25, T14n, R4e To Smith River, Sec. 25, T14n, R3e
- Tenderfoot Creek, Sec. 30, T14n, R4e To Deep Creek, Sec. 31, T16n, R4e
- Missouri River
- Town Of Nelson, Sec. 12, T12n, R2w To Missouri River, Sec. 19, T12n, R2w
More reservoirs
Track Keep Cool 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 Keep Cool
Where does the data for Keep Cool 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 Significant 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 Keep Cool.