Cross dam
Cross
Cross is a private earth dam located in Sanders, Montana, designed by the USDA NRCS to serve the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the TR-Camas Creek. Completed in 1963, the dam stands at a height of 10 feet with a length of 370 feet, offering a maximum storage capacity of 77 acre-feet. The dam is regulated and inspected by the DNRC, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Situated in the city of PERMA, Cross plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, with a drainage area of 1.56 square miles. The spillway of the dam is uncontrolled with a width of 100 feet, and it is located in Congressional District 00, Montana, represented by Greg Gianforte (R). Despite not being rated for its condition, the dam meets state regulatory requirements for permitting, inspection, and enforcement, ensuring its operational effectiveness in mitigating flood risks in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resource and climate management will appreciate the strategic location and design of the Cross dam, which contributes to the sustainable management of water resources in Montana. With its state-regulated status and adherence to inspection and enforcement protocols, Cross serves as a reliable infrastructure for flood risk reduction along the TR-Camas Creek. Its moderate risk assessment rating highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and management measures to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this essential water resource structure.
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 Cross -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flathead River At Perma Mt | 25,100 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Plains Mt | 37,900 cfs | → |
| Flathead River Near Polson Mt | 24,500 cfs | → |
| Mill Cr Ab Bassoo Cr Nr Niarada Mt | 2 cfs | → |
| South Crow Creek Near Ronan Mt | 9 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At St. Regis Mt | 12,100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cross.
Campgrounds
- Cascade Campground
- Cascade Trailhead
- Muchwater Dispersed Campground And Recreation Area
- Peninsula Dispersed Campground And Recreation Area
- Big Hole Lookout
- Big Arm State Park
Fishing spots
- St. John's Fishing Access Site
- Tarkio Fishing Access
- Petty Creek Fishing Access
- Blacktail Lake
- Bonanza Lakes
- Ashley Creek
Paddle runs
- Cuttoff, Sec. 9, T18n, R27w To Sec. 34, T19n, R25w
- Slowery, Sec. 15, T17n, R27w To Sec. 31, T18n. R28w
- Alberton Gorge (St. John To Forrest Grove)
- Vermilion River
- West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w
- Wrangle Creek Headwaters, Sec. 18, T15n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 21, T15n, R18w
Track Cross 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 Cross
Where does the data for Cross 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 Cross.