I.U. Reservoir dam
I.U. Reservoir
I.U. Reservoir, located in Blaine, Montana, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1938 for irrigation purposes on Cow Creek. With a dam height of 44 feet and a storage capacity of 439 acre-feet, the reservoir serves as a vital water resource in the region. Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), the dam is classified as having low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
Despite its remote location in a townless area, I.U. Reservoir plays a crucial role in water management for agriculture in the region. The reservoir's primary purpose of irrigation is supported by its maximum storage capacity of 439 acre-feet and normal storage of 330 acre-feet. The dam's location at coordinates 48.086 latitude and -109.2889 longitude, along with its ownership by the state of Montana, underscores the importance of this water resource in sustaining agricultural activities in the area.
With no associated structures and limited data on its current condition, I.U. Reservoir remains a key component of water infrastructure in the region. As a state-regulated facility with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, the reservoir reflects a commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of water management practices. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the role of I.U. Reservoir in supporting irrigation and contributing to the sustainability of water resources in Montana's agricultural landscape.
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 I.U. Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peoples Creek Near Hays Mt | 3 cfs | → |
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 434 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Chinook Mt | 6 cfs | → |
| Milk River Near Harlem Mt | 547 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Havre Mt | 969 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek Near Chinook Mt | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near I.U. Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Hill County Beaver Creek Park
- Greasewood Bottom
- Beaver Creek County Park
- Gist Bottom Recreation Area
- Bearpaw Lake Fas
- Mcgarry Bar
Fishing spots
Track I.U. Reservoir 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 I.U. Reservoir
Where does the data for I.U. Reservoir 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 I.U. Reservoir.