Norwegian Creek Dam dam
Norwegian Creek Dam
Norwegian Creek Dam, located in Madison County, Montana, is a significant irrigation structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1958. This earth dam stands at a height of 85 feet, with a hydraulic height of 74 feet, and a length of 650 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 1510 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1200 cubic feet per second, Norwegian Creek Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources for agricultural purposes in the region.
Despite its importance in irrigation, Norwegian Creek Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential and is currently not rated for its condition. The dam is state regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Although the last inspection was conducted in 1979, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively. With its location in the Norwegian Placer Gulch and close proximity to the city of Willow Creek, the dam remains a key feature in the water management infrastructure of the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Norwegian Creek Dam presents a fascinating case study in the sustainable utilization of water for agricultural needs. Its construction and operation attest to the intricate balance between harnessing nature's resources for human benefit while ensuring the safety and integrity of the surrounding environment. With ongoing state oversight and potential for future risk management measures, Norwegian Creek Dam exemplifies the importance of maintaining and monitoring vital water infrastructure for the well-being of local communities and ecosystems alike.
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 Norwegian Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Creek Near Harrison Mt | 9 cfs | → |
| Madison River Bl Ennis Lake Nr Mcallister Mt | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Madison River Ab Powerplant Nr Mcallister Mt | 235 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt | 2,490 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River At Logan Mt | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Twin Bridges Mt | 2,660 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norwegian Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Montana Highway 84 Madison County
- Warm Springs Day Use
- Canaday Boat Launch
- Mt 84 Gallatin County
- Power House Boat Launch
- Fall Creek Day Use
Campgrounds
- Potosi Campground And Picnic Area
- Potosi
- Harrison Lake Fas
- Potosi Campground
- Trapper Springs Rec Site
- Lee Metcalf Wilderness
Track Norwegian Creek Dam 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 Norwegian Creek Dam
Where does the data for Norwegian Creek Dam 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 Significant 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 Norwegian Creek Dam.