Potter Irrigation (Broadwater) dam
Potter Irrigation (Broadwater)
Potter Irrigation in Broadwater, Montana, is a privately owned irrigation structure designed by the USDA NRCS to harness water from Spokane Creek. Completed in 1953, this Earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 95 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 74 acre-feet, it covers a surface area of 9.92 acres and drains an area of 18.4 square miles.
Located in Congressional District 00, Montana, Potter Irrigation serves a critical role in water resource management in the region. While the dam has a low hazard potential, its current condition is not rated. The structure, with a maximum discharge of 1360 cubic feet per second, plays a pivotal role in providing water for irrigation purposes in the area. As a state-regulated facility, the DNRC oversees its inspection, permitting, and enforcement.
Potter Irrigation (Broadwater) on Spokane Creek is a vital component of the local water infrastructure, contributing to the agricultural landscape of the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the design, purpose, and regulatory framework of this dam provides valuable insights into sustainable water management practices. With its rich history dating back to the 1950s, Potter Irrigation continues to play a key role in supporting the irrigation needs of the area while adhering to state regulations and ensuring water resource sustainability.
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 Potter Irrigation (Broadwater) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Prickly Pear Creek Near Clancy Mt | 38 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Bl Hauser Lake Nr Helena Mt | 3,230 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Helena Mt | 34 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Rimini Mt | 23 cfs | → |
| Boulder River Near Boulder Mt | 265 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt | 246 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Potter Irrigation (Broadwater).
Boat launches
- Canyon Ferry Road 7604, Lewis And Clark County
- East Shore Drive Lewis And Clark County
- Canyon Ferry Road Lewis And Clark County
- Helena Regulating Reservoir Road Lewis And Clark County
- West Loop Broadwater County
- York Road Lewis And Clark County
Campgrounds
- Spokane Bay
- Coulter Campground
- Devils Elbow Campground
- Bar Gulch Cabin
- Confederate Campground
- White Sandy Campground
Fishing spots
- Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
- Hauser Reservoir
- Canyon Ferry Lake
- Prickly Pear Creek
- Spring Meadow Lake
- Duck Creek (Upper Missouri Drainage)
Track Potter Irrigation (Broadwater) 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 Potter Irrigation (Broadwater)
Where does the data for Potter Irrigation (Broadwater) 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 Potter Irrigation (Broadwater).