Anita dam
Anita
Anita is a federal-owned dam located in Yellowstone, Montana, near Pompeys Pillar, along the Yellowstone River TR. Built in 1936 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this Earth dam stands at 42 feet high and stretches 1050 feet in length, primarily serving the purpose of irrigation. With a storage capacity of 570 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1500 cubic feet per second, Anita plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Anita is subject to moderate risk, with a risk assessment rating of 3. However, the dam's condition assessment remains unavailable, highlighting the need for further evaluation and maintenance. The last inspection conducted in September 2007 revealed that the dam meets safety guidelines but requires regular monitoring to ensure its integrity and functionality. As a key component of the Bureau of Reclamation's operations, Anita serves as a vital infrastructure for water management and irrigation in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Anita to be a fascinating case study of dam infrastructure in Montana. Its location along the iconic Yellowstone River TR, combined with its historical significance and functional purpose for irrigation, make it a noteworthy site for understanding the intersection of water management, infrastructure development, and environmental stewardship. As discussions around water resource sustainability and climate resilience continue to evolve, Anita serves as a tangible example of the complex challenges and opportunities present in managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Anita -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pryor Creek Nr Huntley Mt | 21 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Billings Mt | 7,610 cfs | → |
| Little Bighorn River Near Hardin Mt | 219 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Musselshell Mt | 90 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Near St. Xavier | 1,520 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Anita.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Anita 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 Anita
Where does the data for Anita 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 Anita.