Hauser Dam dam
Hauser Dam
Hauser Dam, located in Craig, Montana, is a gravity dam built in 1911 primarily for hydroelectric purposes on the Missouri River. With a height of 125 feet and a length of 732 feet, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 139,890 acre-feet and serves multiple functions including flood risk reduction and recreation. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and has a high hazard potential, with a very high risk assessment rating.
The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 443 feet and is equipped with various outlet gates for water control. Despite its age, the condition assessment of Hauser Dam is not available, indicating a need for further inspection and evaluation. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in December 2020, and the risk management measures are not specified, suggesting a potential area for improvement in ensuring the safety and resilience of the structure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the engineering and environmental aspects of dams will find Hauser Dam a fascinating subject of study. Its historical significance, strategic location on the Missouri River, and multi-purpose design make it a valuable asset for both energy production and water management in the region. However, the high hazard potential and limited information on its condition assessment highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of this critical infrastructure.
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 Hauser Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Bl Hauser Lake Nr Helena Mt | 3,320 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Helena Mt | 42 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Bl Holter Dam Nr Wolf Cr Mt | 3,330 cfs | → |
| Prickly Pear Creek Near Clancy Mt | 40 cfs | → |
| Little Prickly Pear Cr At Wolf Cr Mt | 90 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Rimini Mt | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hauser Dam.
Boat launches
- Hauser Dam Road Helena Valley Northeast
- White Sandy Boat Ramp
- Cross Drive Helena Valley Northeast
- York Road Lewis And Clark County
- Smith Road Helena Valley Northeast
- Devils Elbow Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- White Sandy
- Black Sandy State Park
- White Sandy Campground
- Devils Elbow Campground
- Spokane Bay
- Beartooth Landing
Fishing spots
- Missouri River Fishing Access Site
- Prickly Pear Creek
- Hauser Reservoir
- Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
- Silver Creek
- Spring Meadow Lake
Track Hauser Dam 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 Hauser Dam
Where does the data for Hauser Dam 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 High 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 Hauser Dam.