Nelson Dike D dam
Nelson Dike D
Nelson Dike D is a vital offstream storage reservoir in Phillips County, Montana, designed by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1922 for irrigation purposes. With a dam height of 14 feet and a storage capacity of 85,175 acre-feet, this Earth-type dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Situated in the city of Saco, this reservoir receives diversions from the river or stream, serving as a key infrastructure for agriculture in the area.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Nelson Dike D has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While its spillway type is listed as "None," the reservoir's maximum storage capacity of 85,175 acre-feet provides crucial water resources for irrigation purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 79,224 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 4,560 acres and has a drainage area of 35 square miles, highlighting its importance in water management and agriculture in the region.
Given its significant role in irrigation and water resource management, Nelson Dike D stands as a testament to the Bureau of Reclamation's commitment to sustainable water infrastructure development. As a key component in the region's water supply system, this offstream storage reservoir in Montana continues to play an essential role in supporting agriculture and ensuring water security for the community of Saco and beyond.
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 Nelson Dike D -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Cr Bl Guston Coulee Nr Saco Mt | 67 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Juneberg Bridge Nr Saco Mt | 178 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Hinsdale Mt | 31 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Malta Mt | 31 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Tampico Mt | 47 cfs | → |
| Milk River Near Dodson Mt | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nelson Dike D.
Campgrounds
Track Nelson Dike D 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 Nelson Dike D
Where does the data for Nelson Dike D 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 Nelson Dike D.