Basin Creek Dam #2 dam
Basin Creek Dam #2
Basin Creek Dam #2, located in Butte, Montana, was completed in 1907 and serves as a vital water supply resource for the area. With a height of 49 feet and a storage capacity of 290 acre-feet, this earth-type dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources for the surrounding community. The dam is situated on Basin Creek, with a drainage area of 4.72 square miles, providing essential water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial purposes.
Despite its importance, Basin Creek Dam #2 is classified as having a significant hazard potential and is currently in poor condition, according to a 2015 assessment. The dam's last inspection was conducted in July 2019, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its integrity and safety. With its proximity to residential and commercial areas, it is crucial for stakeholders to address the dam's condition and implement risk management measures to safeguard the community and the environment.
As a locally owned structure regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Basin Creek Dam #2's significance extends beyond water supply to include environmental protection and public safety. With its historical significance dating back over a century, the dam's maintenance and upkeep are essential for ensuring a reliable and sustainable water resource for future generations.
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 Basin Creek Dam #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blacktail Creek At Butte Mt | 16 cfs | → |
| Silver Bow Cr Bl Blacktail Cr At Butte Mt | 17 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River At Maiden Rock Nr Divide Mt | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Twin Bridges Mt | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity Mt | 44 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek At Opportunity | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Basin Creek Dam #2.
Boat launches
- Jefferson County
- Divide Bridge Boat Ramp
- Maiden Rock Boat Ramp
- Jerry Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
- Dickie Bridge Boat Ramp
- East Bank Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Basin Canyon Campground And Picnic Area
- Pigeon Creek
- Pigeon Creek Campground
- Toll Mountain Campground
- Toll Mountain
- Toll Mtn Campground
Track Basin Creek Dam #2 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 Basin Creek Dam #2
Where does the data for Basin Creek Dam #2 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 Significant 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 Basin Creek Dam #2.