Black Sea Reservoir dam
Black Sea Reservoir
The Black Sea Reservoir in Montana is a privately owned water source that serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. Completed in 1950, this Earth dam stands at 28 feet high and has a storage capacity of 1,097 acre-feet. Located in Rosebud County, the reservoir is regulated by the state and maintained by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
Situated along the TR-West Blacktail Creek, the Black Sea Reservoir offers a vital water source for local agricultural and emergency services needs. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the reservoir provides a reliable and secure water supply for the surrounding community. Despite its small size, the reservoir plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in the area, the Black Sea Reservoir contributes to the overall water management strategy in Montana. With its state-regulated status and regular inspections, the reservoir ensures the safety and reliability of its water storage capacity for various uses. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Black Sea Reservoir presents an intriguing case study in sustainable water management practices and the importance of private ownership in ensuring water security for local communities.
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 Black Sea Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flatwillow Creek Near Mosby Mt | 18 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Mosby Mt | 80 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Musselshell Mt | 90 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt | 10,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Sea Reservoir.
Track Black Sea Reservoir 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 Black Sea Reservoir
Where does the data for Black Sea Reservoir 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 Black Sea Reservoir.