Voldseth East Dam dam
Voldseth East Dam
Voldseth East Dam, located in Martinsdale, Montana, is a privately owned structure primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1939, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a storage capacity of 1,925 acre-feet. Situated on the South Fork of the Musselshell River, the dam covers a surface area of 108 acres and serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Voldseth East Dam undergoes regular inspections by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway type and features a valve outlet gate for water release. Despite being privately owned, the state jurisdiction and regulatory agencies are involved in permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes, highlighting the importance of compliance with safety standards and regulations to mitigate risks associated with the dam.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Voldseth East Dam plays a crucial role in water management and agricultural activities in Meagher County, Montana. With its moderate risk assessment rating and proximity to the South Fork of the Musselshell River, the dam serves as a vital resource for ensuring water supply and irrigation for the surrounding community, while also highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to address any potential hazards and ensure the safety of the structure.
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 Voldseth East Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 173 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 235 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt | 204 cfs | → |
| Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt | 395 cfs | → |
| Shields River Nr Livingston Mt | 309 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Voldseth East Dam.
Campgrounds
- Martinsdale Reservoir Fas
- Selkirk Fas
- Crandall Creek Cabin
- Shields River Dispersed Site
- Richardson Campground
- Grasshopper
Fishing spots
- Indian Creek
- Flagstaff Reservoir
- Bair Reservoir
- North Fork Musselshell River
- North Fork Smith River
- Big Elk Creek
Track Voldseth East 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 Voldseth East Dam
Where does the data for Voldseth East 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 Voldseth East Dam.