Sibra dam
Sibra
Sibra, located in Chouteau, Montana, is a privately owned irrigation dam designed by USDA NRCS and regulated by the DNRC. Completed in 1960, this Earth-type dam stands at 17 feet high and spans 2570 feet, serving the primary purpose of irrigation along TR-Little Sandy Creek. With a capacity of 235 acre-feet and a drainage area of 8.78 square miles, Sibra plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Despite its age, Sibra has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. The dam features a spillway width of 150 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 450 cubic feet per second. While it has not undergone recent inspections or assessments, it remains under state jurisdiction with permitting, inspection, and enforcement responsibilities falling under the DNRC. With its strategic location and vital role in providing water for irrigation, Sibra stands as a significant infrastructure contributing to the sustainable management of water resources in Montana.
As a noteworthy feature in the landscape of Hole-in-the-Wall Landing Rec in Montana, Sibra represents a blend of historical significance and functional utility in water resource management. With its long-standing presence and critical role in supporting agricultural activities, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of infrastructure in ensuring water security and climate resilience in the region. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates continue to recognize the interplay between dams like Sibra and the broader environmental context, efforts to monitor and maintain its integrity will be essential in safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Sibra -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 7,010 cfs | → |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 26 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 504 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek Near Havre Mt | 4 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,420 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Havre Mt | 981 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sibra.
Boat launches
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Coal Banks Landing
- Monroe Island
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
- Hole In The Wall Rec Site
Campgrounds
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Coal Banks Landing
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Monroe Island
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
- Hole In The Wall Rec Site
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Sibra 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 Sibra
Where does the data for Sibra 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 Sibra.