Benjamin dam
Benjamin
Benjamin, H.E. Jr. is a private irrigation dam located in Toole, Montana, along the Crooked Coulee river. Built in 1954 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 550 feet, providing a storage capacity of 117 acre-feet for irrigation purposes. The dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Benjamin, H.E. Jr. is considered to have a moderate risk level (3) due to its location and potential impact in the event of a failure. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, it is essential for the owners to prepare an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and conduct regular risk assessments to mitigate any potential risks associated with the structure. The dam's spillway, with a width of 200 feet, is uncontrolled and has a maximum discharge capacity of 800 cubic feet per second, highlighting the importance of proper management and maintenance to ensure the safety of downstream areas.
The surrounding area of Benjamin, H.E. Jr. is represented by Congressional District 00 and is under the jurisdiction of the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. With its vital role in providing irrigation water to the region, this dam serves as a crucial resource for agriculture in Toole County. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor and support efforts to maintain the functionality and safety of structures like Benjamin, H.E. Jr. to ensure sustainable water management practices in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Benjamin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marias River Near Shelby Mt | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Cut Bank Creek At Cut Bank Mt | 389 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Chester Mt | 526 cfs | → |
| Teton River Near Dutton Mt | 83 cfs | → |
| Badger Cr Bl Four Horns Canal Nr Browning Mt | 395 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Benjamin.
Track Benjamin 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 Benjamin
Where does the data for Benjamin 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 Benjamin.