Sheffels Reservoir dam
Sheffels Reservoir
Sheffels Reservoir, located in Fort Benton, Montana, is a private water resource managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Built in 1963, the reservoir serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond. With a dam height of 68 feet and a storage capacity of 299 acre-feet, Sheffels Reservoir plays a crucial role in providing water for various needs in the area.
Situated on the TR-Missouri River, Sheffels Reservoir covers a surface area that supports a low hazard potential with a condition assessment that is currently not rated. While the reservoir has not been inspected recently, it is regulated by the state and meets all necessary permitting and enforcement requirements. With its close proximity to the river and its importance for the local community, Sheffels Reservoir remains a key component in ensuring water availability and management in Cascade County, Montana.
Although not owned or funded by any federal agency, Sheffels Reservoir is recognized as a valuable resource for water storage and conservation in the region. As a private facility with state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight, the reservoir serves as a critical infrastructure for water supply and management, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices and effective stewardship in addressing the water resource challenges posed by climate change.
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 Sheffels Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Near Great Falls Mt | 5,620 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mt | 4,040 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs | → |
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt | 87 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Eden Mt | 434 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sheffels Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Gateway Military - Malmstrom Afb
- Thain Creek Campground
- Thain Creek
- Thain Creek Camp Ground
- American Legion/Lions Park - Cascade
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tenderfoot Creek, Sec. 30, T14n, R4e To Deep Creek, Sec. 31, T16n, R4e
- Marias River
- Falls, Sec. 25, T14n, R4e To Smith River, Sec. 25, T14n, R3e
- Camp Baker To Eden Bridge
More reservoirs
Track Sheffels 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 Sheffels Reservoir
Where does the data for Sheffels 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 Sheffels Reservoir.