Umstead Reservoir dam
Umstead Reservoir
Umstead Reservoir, located in Fergus County, Montana, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1948 by the USDA NRCS. With a height of 24 feet and a storage capacity of 912 acre-feet, the reservoir serves primarily for fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond. It is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
The reservoir is situated on the TR-Fargo Coulee and has a drainage area of 0.47 square miles. It has a maximum discharge of 250 cubic feet per second and an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 50 feet. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Umstead Reservoir is deemed to have a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. Although the condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," the reservoir's structure and functionality are regularly monitored to maintain its integrity and safety.
Overall, Umstead Reservoir serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, offering essential services such as fire protection and stock watering. As a key component of the local ecosystem, it is important for water and climate enthusiasts to understand and appreciate the role that this reservoir plays in sustaining the community and supporting various activities. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, Umstead Reservoir continues to be a valuable asset for 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 Umstead Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Near Landusky Mt | 7,240 cfs | → |
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 416 cfs | → |
| Peoples Creek Near Hays Mt | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Umstead Reservoir.
Boat launches
- James Kipp Recreation Area
- James Kipp Boat Ramp
- Hideaway Recreation Area
- Homestead - Gus Nelson
- Woodhawk (Lower)
- Woodhawk (Middle)
Campgrounds
- James Kipp
- James Kipp Recreation Area
- James Kipp Recreation Area - Umrbnm
- Hideaway Recreation Area
- Woodhawk Recreation Area
- Woodhawk (Middle)
Fishing spots
- Jakes Reservoir
- Upper Carters Pond
- Lower Hansen Reservoir
- Als Coulee Reservoir
- Warm Spring Creek
- Mccartney Creek
More reservoirs
Track Umstead Reservoir 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 Umstead Reservoir
Where does the data for Umstead Reservoir 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 Umstead Reservoir.