East Fork dam
East Fork
East Fork is a federal-owned recreational dam located in Hill, Montana, along the East Fork Beaver Creek. Managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this Earth dam stands at a structural height of 65 feet and was completed in 2007, providing a storage capacity of 667 acre-feet. With a controlled spillway and a high hazard potential rating, East Fork offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking.
Despite its remote location, East Fork is a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the natural beauty of Montana. The dam, which is not regulated by the state, offers a glimpse into the importance of water management for recreation purposes. With its risk assessment rating of Very High (1), the dam's emergency action plan is crucial for ensuring public safety in the event of a potential hazard.
Featuring a unique blend of scenic landscapes and water management infrastructure, East Fork serves as a valuable resource for studying the intersection of environmental conservation and recreational activities. As visitors engage with the dam's designated purposes and high-risk potential, they are reminded of the delicate balance needed to protect our water resources while promoting sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities 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 East Fork -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy Creek Near Havre Mt | 4 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Havre Mt | 981 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Chinook Mt | 6 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 7,010 cfs | → |
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 425 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek Near Chinook Mt | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Fork.
Boat launches
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Monroe Island
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
- Coal Banks Landing
- Mt-236 Chouteau County
Campgrounds
- Hill County Beaver Creek Park
- Beaver Creek County Park
- Bearpaw Lake Fas
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Monroe Island
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track East Fork 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 East Fork
Where does the data for East Fork 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 High 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 East Fork.