Raymond Storage (Sheridan) dam
Raymond Storage (Sheridan)
Raymond Storage in Sheridan, Montana is a local government-owned water resource facility situated along the TR-McCoy Creek. Built in 1930, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 13.9 feet and has a storage capacity of 144 acre-feet, primarily serving purposes such as fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond maintenance. With a significant hazard potential, this dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), ensuring its safe operation and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its age, Raymond Storage continues to function effectively, with a normal storage capacity of 66 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capability of 1200 cubic feet per second. The dam's location in Plentywood, within the Congressional District 00 of Montana, highlights its importance in providing essential water resources for local communities and wildlife habitats. While the condition assessment of the dam has not been rated, its emergency action plan (EAP) status, risk assessment, and management measures remain unspecified, suggesting a need for further evaluation and preparedness to mitigate potential risks and ensure the continued safety and functionality of this vital water storage structure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Raymond Storage facility offers a fascinating glimpse into the historical development and current management of water infrastructure in Montana. Its role in providing essential services for fire protection, livestock, and aquatic ecosystems underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. With its significant hazard potential and state-regulated status, Raymond Storage serves as a critical example of the ongoing efforts to balance water resource utilization with environmental conservation and public safety in the region.
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 Raymond Storage (Sheridan) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy Creek Near Antelope Mt | 14 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Cr Nr Mouth Nr Culbertson Mt | 10 cfs | → |
| Poplar River At International Boundary | 7 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Culbertson Mt | 5,030 cfs | → |
| Poplar River Near Poplar Mt | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Raymond Storage (Sheridan).
Track Raymond Storage (Sheridan) 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 Raymond Storage (Sheridan)
Where does the data for Raymond Storage (Sheridan) 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 Raymond Storage (Sheridan).