Bair dam
Bair
Bair is a state-regulated irrigation dam located in Meagher, Montana, along the North Fork Musselshell River. Constructed in 1939, this earth dam stands at 106 feet tall and spans a length of 580 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 12,475 acre-feet. With a hazard potential rated as high, Bair is subject to regular inspections and has been deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2021.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Bair plays a crucial role in water resource management and agricultural irrigation in the region. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and rock foundation contribute to its efficient operation for flood control and water storage purposes. Despite moderate risk assessment of the dam, it continues to meet regulatory guidelines and is equipped with emergency action plans to ensure public safety in the event of a disaster.
Bair serves as a key infrastructure asset in the region, supporting sustainable water usage and agricultural activities. With its strategic location and design features, this state-owned dam underscores the importance of proactive risk management and regulatory compliance in safeguarding water resources and mitigating climate-related challenges for the community.
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 Bair -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 169 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt | 201 cfs | → |
| Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt | 383 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 214 cfs | → |
| Belt Creek Near Monarch Mt | 269 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bair.
Campgrounds
- Whitetail Camp
- Whitetail Camp Campground
- Hunters Spring Cabin
- Richardson Campground
- Grasshopper Campground
- Grasshopper
Fishing spots
- Bair Reservoir
- North Fork Musselshell River
- Flagstaff Reservoir
- North Fork Smith River
- Indian Creek
- Lost Fork
Track Bair 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 Bair
Where does the data for Bair 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 High 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 Bair.