Heckmiller #1 dam
Heckmiller #1
Heckmiller #1 is a private dam located in Kinsey, Montana, along Sage Creek. Completed in 1955, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 400 feet in length, providing fire protection, stock water, and a small fish pond for its primary purposes. With a storage capacity of 217 acre-feet, including a normal storage level of 88 acre-feet, this low-hazard dam serves the local community while also supporting the surrounding ecosystem.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Heckmiller #1 is regulated, permitted, and inspected by the state, ensuring its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. Although the dam's condition has not been officially rated, its low hazard potential indicates a relatively low risk of failure or significant impact in the event of a breach. Despite lacking certain detailed information such as inspection dates and maintenance records, Heckmiller #1 remains a vital resource for water supply and ecosystem support in the region.
With its strategic location in the Custer County, Montana, Heckmiller #1 plays a crucial role in providing water resources for fire protection, livestock, and aquatic life. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the management and maintenance of dams like Heckmiller #1 are essential for ensuring sustainable water use and ecosystem resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. By staying informed about the status and condition of critical infrastructure such as Heckmiller #1, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the long-term sustainability of water systems in their communities.
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 Heckmiller #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone River At Miles City Mt | 10,600 cfs | → |
| Tongue River At Miles City Mt | 61 cfs | → |
| Pumpkin Creek Near Miles City Mt | 0 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt | 10,500 cfs | → |
| Powder River Near Locate Mt | 17 cfs | → |
| Tongue R Bl Brandenberg Bridge Nr Ashland Mt | 223 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heckmiller #1.
Track Heckmiller #1 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 Heckmiller #1
Where does the data for Heckmiller #1 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 Heckmiller #1.