Mclean (Toole) dam
Mclean (Toole)
Mclean (Toole) is a privately owned dam located in Toole, Montana, near the city of Shelby. Built in 1950 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 27 feet in height and spans 276 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond, with a storage capacity of 123 acre-feet and a drainage area of 4.69 square miles along the Sand Coulee river.
Managed by the DNRC, Mclean (Toole) is regulated and permitted by the state of Montana for inspection, enforcement, and permitting. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" for its condition assessment. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place at this time, but is considered to meet guidelines for risk management. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 100 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 250 cubic feet per second.
Overall, Mclean (Toole) presents an interesting case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing the intricate regulatory framework and risk management considerations involved in the operation and maintenance of a privately owned dam in Montana. The dam's historical significance, combined with its unique purpose and design features, offers a valuable insight into the intersection of water resource management, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation efforts in the region. Its location within the Omaha District and Congressional District 00 of Montana, represented by Greg Gianforte, further emphasizes the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water resources.
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 Mclean (Toole) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Bank Creek At Cut Bank Mt | 389 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Shelby Mt | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Badger Cr Bl Four Horns Canal Nr Browning Mt | 395 cfs | → |
| Cut Bank Creek Near Browning Mt | 60 cfs | → |
| Two Medicine River Bl South Fork Nr Browning Mt | 922 cfs | → |
| N F Milk River Ab St Mary Ca Nr Browning Mt | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mclean (Toole).
Track Mclean (Toole) 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 Mclean (Toole)
Where does the data for Mclean (Toole) 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 Mclean (Toole).