Davis Creek Dam dam
Davis Creek Dam
Davis Creek Dam, located in Helmville, Montana, serves as a crucial structure for irrigation purposes along the Davis Creek. Completed in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and has a storage capacity of 91 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 79 acre-feet. Despite its relatively small size, the dam poses a high hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level.
Owned privately and regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Davis Creek Dam has not been rated for its current condition as of the last inspection in 2016. With an uncontrolled spillway and a spillway width of 10 feet, the dam is designed to manage the flow of water effectively. Although no specific risk management measures are outlined, the dam is inspected every 5 years to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Situated within the picturesque Powell County, this dam is a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure. With its strategic location and purposeful design, Davis Creek Dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective water management in the region, highlighting the essential role it plays in supporting agricultural activities and maintaining the overall environmental balance.
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 Davis Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Cr Ab Reservoir | 27 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Goldcreek Mt | 380 cfs | → |
| Little Blackfoot River Near Garrison Mt | 153 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot R Ab Nevada Cr Nr Helmville Mt | 765 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Drummond Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Deer Lodge Mt | 117 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Davis Creek Dam.
Campgrounds
- Moose Creek Campground (Free)
- Hooper Park
- Drummond City Park
- Aspen Grove Campground
- Aspen Grove Group Use Campground
- Browns Lake Fas
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Davis 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 Davis Creek Dam
Where does the data for Davis 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 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 Davis Creek Dam.