Buffalo Wallow Dam dam
Buffalo Wallow Dam
Buffalo Wallow Dam, located in Fergus County, Montana, is a federal-owned structure managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This gravity dam stands at a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, with a length of 807 feet. While its primary purpose is unspecified, it serves as a crucial water resource in the region, storing 186.37 acre-feet of water and covering a surface area of 26.38 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential and not being regulated by the state, Buffalo Wallow Dam plays a significant role in managing water resources and supporting the local ecosystem. The dam, built with buttress and stone core types, sits on an intermittent river or stream and is designed to withstand potential downstream impacts. The last inspection in July 2013 rated its condition as not rated, indicating the need for further assessment and maintenance to ensure its long-term stability and functionality.
Buffalo Wallow Dam's historical significance, coupled with its role in water storage and management, makes it a valuable asset for climate and water resource enthusiasts. With its location in the Omaha District and under the ownership and funding of the Bureau of Land Management, the dam represents a blend of engineering expertise and environmental stewardship in preserving water resources in Montana. Further assessments and risk management measures will be essential to ensure the dam's continued effectiveness and safety in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Buffalo Wallow Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Near Landusky Mt | 7,240 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Mosby Mt | 80 cfs | → |
| Flatwillow Creek Near Mosby Mt | 18 cfs | → |
| Peoples Creek Near Hays Mt | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo Wallow Dam.
Boat launches
- James Kipp Boat Ramp
- James Kipp Recreation Area
- Hideaway Recreation Area
- Homestead - Gus Nelson
- Woodhawk (Upper)
- Woodhawk (Middle)
Campgrounds
- Homestead - Edwin Wartzenluft
- Homestead - Robert Woods
- James Kipp Recreation Area
- James Kipp Recreation Area - Umrbnm
- James Kipp
- Alex Camp
Track Buffalo Wallow 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 Buffalo Wallow Dam
Where does the data for Buffalo Wallow 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 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 Buffalo Wallow Dam.