Ds Scott #1 dam
Ds Scott #1
Ds Scott #1 is a private earth dam located on Little Dry Creek in Big Horn, Montana. Built in 1935 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and creating a small fish pond. With a dam height of 13 feet and a length of 1100 feet, it has a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet and a drainage area of 7.81 square miles. The spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 75 feet and can handle a maximum discharge of 1000 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Ds Scott #1 is considered to have a moderate risk level. The dam is regulated, inspected, and permitted by the state of Montana, with enforcement conducted by the DNRC. While the condition assessment is currently rated as 'Not Rated', the risk management measures and emergency action plan status are unknown. The dam is situated in Congressional District 00, Montana, under the jurisdiction of Greg Gianforte (R), and falls under the Omaha District of the USACE.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intricacies of dam infrastructure will find Ds Scott #1 to be a fascinating case study. Its historical significance, multiple uses, and regulatory oversight provide valuable insights into the complexities of managing water resources in Montana. As a privately owned structure, it highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies, designers, and owners to ensure the safety and sustainability of our water infrastructure.
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 Ds Scott #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Bighorn River Near Hardin Mt | 229 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 1,940 cfs | → |
| Rosebud C At Reservation Bndry Nr Kirby Mt | 8 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Near St. Xavier | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Pryor Creek Nr Huntley Mt | 21 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Billings Mt | 8,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ds Scott #1.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Ds Scott #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 Ds Scott #1
Where does the data for Ds Scott #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 Ds Scott #1.