Waro Reservoir dam
Waro Reservoir
Waro Reservoir, located in Bainville, Montana, is a privately owned water resource managed by the USDA NRCS. The reservoir, completed in 1946, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond. With a dam height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 156 acre-feet, Waro Reservoir provides a critical water source for the surrounding area, particularly during dry periods.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Waro Reservoir is situated on TR-West Shotgun Creek and covers a surface area of 14 acres with a drainage area of 9 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential, the reservoir's condition has not been rated, and there is limited information available on its emergency action plan and risk management measures. As a key water source in the region, Waro Reservoir plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems and agricultural activities, making it a significant asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and protect.
As one of the many water resources in Roosevelt County, Montana, Waro Reservoir contributes to the overall water management efforts in the area. With its primary purpose being fire protection and livestock watering, the reservoir plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of local agriculture and the protection of natural resources. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the management and conservation of reservoirs like Waro become increasingly important for ensuring water security 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 Waro Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Near Culbertson Mt | 5,080 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Cr Nr Mouth Nr Culbertson Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Creek Near Antelope Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston | 17 cfs | → |
| Charbonneau Creek Nr Charbonneau | 0 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Sidney Mt | 13,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waro Reservoir.
Track Waro 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 Waro Reservoir
Where does the data for Waro 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 Waro Reservoir.