Willow Creek Dam dam
Willow Creek Dam
Willow Creek Dam, located in Madison, Montana, is a state-regulated structure built in 1938 primarily for irrigation purposes along the Willow Creek river. The dam stands at an impressive height of 105 feet, with a hydraulic height of 96.5 feet, and a length of 453 feet. It has a storage capacity of 26,600 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 18,000 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 885 acres.
Despite its significant contribution to irrigation in the area, Willow Creek Dam is currently rated as having a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment. The last inspection in March 2021 identified concerns, prompting a need for immediate attention to address the dam's deteriorating condition. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in January 2022, indicating ongoing efforts to ensure public safety in case of an emergency.
The dam's risk assessment is classified as moderate, with a DSAC (Dam Safety Action Classification) of 3. While the structure's risk management measures are not specified, the dam's condition and hazard potential highlight the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to safeguard the surrounding community and water resources. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience would find Willow Creek Dam an intriguing case study for understanding the complexities of balancing water supply needs with infrastructure safety and environmental impacts.
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 Willow Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Creek Near Harrison Mt | 6 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Madison River Bl Ennis Lake Nr Mcallister Mt | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Madison River Ab Powerplant Nr Mcallister Mt | 230 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River At Logan Mt | 756 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River Near Gallatin Gateway Mt | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 287 Gallatin County
- Canaday Boat Launch
- Mt 84 Gallatin County
- Madison Road 18367, Gallatin County
- Montana Highway 84 Madison County
- Warm Springs Day Use
Campgrounds
- Harrison Lake Fas
- Trapper Springs Rec Site
- Lewis And Clark Caverns State Park
- Lewis & Clark Caverns Campground
- Potosi Campground And Picnic Area
- Potosi
Track Willow Creek Dam 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 Willow Creek Dam
Where does the data for Willow Creek Dam 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 Willow Creek Dam.