Rock Creek dam
Rock Creek
Rock Creek, located in Dillon, Montana, is a state-regulated dam designed by the USDA NRCS for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans a length of 345 feet, with a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet. Situated on the Rock Creek river, this low-hazard dam has a maximum discharge of 158 cubic feet per second and is under the jurisdiction of the DNRC for inspection, permitting, and enforcement.
Owned and operated by the state of Montana, Rock Creek dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Beaverhead County. With a normal storage capacity of 28 acre-feet and a drainage area of 5 square miles, this dam ensures a reliable water supply for agricultural irrigation in the region. Despite being rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, Rock Creek dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, with no reported incidents or emergencies to date.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rock Creek dam offers a fascinating example of sustainable water infrastructure in Montana. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between federal and state agencies in ensuring water security and irrigation sustainability. With its strategic location on the Rock Creek river and low-hazard potential, Rock Creek dam serves as a valuable asset for the local community and a model for responsible water management practices in 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 Rock Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 227 cfs | → |
| Red Rock R Bl Lima Reservoir Nr Monida Mt | 49 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Bl Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 421 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River At Dillon Mt | 157 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River At Barretts Mt | 581 cfs | → |
| Madison River Near Cameron Mt | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Creek.
Boat launches
- Palisades Day Use
- Ruby Creek Boat Launch
- Windy Point Boat Launch
- Mcatee Bridge Madison County
- Madison County
- Storey Ditch Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- East Fork Blacktail Deer Creek Wsa
- Antone Station
- Vigilante Cabin
- Black Butte Cabin
- Clover Meadows Dispersed Camping And Picnic Area
- Ruby Reservoir Rec Site
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Beaverhead Boundary, Sec. 22, T9s, R3w To South Of Romy Lake, Sec. 26, T8s, R3w
- Fossil Ck & Wf Madison, Sec. 27, T12s, R2w To Miner Creek, Sec. 30 T12s, R2w
- 1/4 Mi West Landon Camp, Sec. 31, T12s, R1w To Fossil Creek, Sec. 27, T12s, R2w
- 1/2 Below Landon Camp, Sec. 32, T12s, R1w To Up River 3/4 Mi, Sec. 31, T12s, R1w
- Dirty Ck To Elk River & Gravelly Range Road #290, Sec. 15 T11s R2w
- Madison River
Track Rock 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 Rock Creek
Where does the data for Rock 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 Rock Creek.