Bynum Reservoir Dam dam
Bynum Reservoir Dam
Bynum Reservoir Dam, located in Teton County, Montana, is a vital part of the region's water resource infrastructure. Completed in 1926, this earth dam stands at a height of 60 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 107,000 acre-feet, primarily used for irrigation purposes. With a surface area of 3,200 acres and a drainage area of 32.6 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing water for agricultural activities in the area.
Managed by a private owner, the Bynum Reservoir Dam is regulated and inspected by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in May 2020 deemed it to be satisfactory. Regular inspections every five years help to monitor the dam's structural integrity and ensure that it continues to serve its essential function in the community.
With its strategic location on Miller Creek and its contribution to the irrigation needs of the region, Bynum Reservoir Dam is a critical piece of infrastructure in Montana's water resource management. As climate change continues to impact water availability and usage patterns, the efficient operation and maintenance of dams like Bynum Reservoir become increasingly important in ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 Bynum Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Teton River Bl South Fork Nr Choteau Mt | 274 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Diversion Dam Nr Augusta Mt | 550 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Willow Cr Nr Augusta Mt | 535 cfs | → |
| North Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 621 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 503 cfs | → |
| Badger Cr Bl Four Horns Canal Nr Browning Mt | 377 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bynum Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Bynum Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Bynum Reservoir 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 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 below 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.
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.