Wills dam
Wills
Wills, R. is a private irrigation dam located in Missoula, Montana, along the TR-UNION CREEK. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 300 feet. It serves the primary purpose of irrigation and has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 26 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the DNRC and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, Wills, R. does not have a detailed emergency action plan (EAP) in place. The dam's spillway width is 18 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 15 cubic feet per second. The structure is not owned or funded by any federal agency but is under the jurisdiction of the state of Montana. Congressman Greg Gianforte represents the Congressional District in which the dam is located.
Overall, Wills, R. is a significant water resource infrastructure in Montana that plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities through irrigation. While it currently poses a low hazard potential, the lack of a detailed EAP and condition assessment raises some concerns about its long-term safety and maintenance. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the importance of monitoring and managing dams like Wills, R. to ensure the sustainable use of water resources 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 Wills -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackfoot River Near Bonner Mt | 4,120 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 1,920 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 6,050 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Drummond Mt | 569 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 7,110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wills.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Johnsrud Park Fas
- Thibodeau Campground
- Thibodeau Fas
- Corricks River Bend Fas
- Ninemile Prairie Fas
- Beavertail Hill State Park
Track Wills 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 Wills
Where does the data for Wills 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 Wills.