Battle Creek dam
Battle Creek
Battle Creek, located in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, is a privately owned irrigation dam designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the DNRC. Completed in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a storage capacity of 520 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 470 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Battle Creek, serves the primary purpose of irrigation and covers a drainage area of 7.03 square miles.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Battle Creek dam ensures water resource management for the surrounding area. The dam's spillway width of 30 feet and max discharge of 800 cfs contribute to effective flood control measures. While the dam has not been inspected recently, it remains under state jurisdiction and undergoes state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in the Meagher County, Montana area can appreciate the significance of Battle Creek dam in sustaining agricultural activities through irrigation. The collaboration between private ownership, state regulation by the DNRC, and federal design by the USDA NRCS showcases a comprehensive approach to water management. As climate change impacts water availability, the infrastructure and operational protocols of Battle Creek dam play a crucial role in mitigating risks and ensuring sustainable water supply for the region.
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 Battle Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Toston Mt | 3,510 cfs | → |
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt | 151 cfs | → |
| Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt | 270 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 90 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River At Logan Mt | 756 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Battle Creek.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Battle Creek
- Deep Creek (Upper Missouri Drainage)
- Indian Creek
- Newlan Reservoir
- Duck Creek (Upper Missouri Drainage)
- North Fork Smith River
Paddle runs
- Camp Baker To Eden Bridge
- Falls, Sec. 25, T14n, R4e To Smith River, Sec. 25, T14n, R3e
- Muskrat Creek
- Arch Coulee Junction, Sec. 32, T13n, R11e To Forest Boundary, Sec. 35, T13n, R11e
- Missouri River
- Town Of Nelson, Sec. 12, T12n, R2w To Missouri River, Sec. 19, T12n, R2w
More reservoirs
Track Battle Creek 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 Battle Creek
Where does the data for Battle Creek 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 Battle Creek.