Kauk dam
Kauk
Kauk is a private-owned earth dam located in Loma, Montana, along the TR-South Pondera Coulee. Built in 1940, this dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 330 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 62 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond use, serving the local community in Pondera County. Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Kauk is regulated, inspected, and enforced under state jurisdiction, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Kauk is not currently considered a high-risk structure. Although its emergency action plan and risk assessment details are not available, the dam has not undergone any modifications over the years. Despite its low hazard potential, Kauk plays a crucial role in providing essential water resources for fire protection, livestock, and recreational fishing activities in the area. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Kauk are essential for ensuring water security and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Kauk is vital for sustainable water management practices. By recognizing the role of dams in providing essential services while also being mindful of their potential risks and vulnerabilities, stakeholders can work towards enhancing the resilience of water infrastructure in the face of a changing climate. Kauk serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water resources, climate change, and infrastructure management, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to safeguard our water supply 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 Kauk -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Teton River Near Dutton Mt | 83 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Shelby Mt | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt | 87 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Chester Mt | 604 cfs | → |
| Teton River Bl South Fork Nr Choteau Mt | 191 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kauk.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Kauk 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 Kauk
Where does the data for Kauk 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 Kauk.