Christensen #1 dam
Christensen #1
Christensen #1 is a private earth dam located in Poplar, Montana, designed by USDA NRCS and regulated by the DNRC. Built in 1964 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes, the dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-West Fork Poplar River, the dam serves its low hazard potential with a spillway width of 50 feet and a maximum discharge of 250 cfs, ensuring safety in case of emergencies.
The dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, and it has not undergone recent inspections or maintenance updates. Despite this, its low hazard potential and remote location in a sparsely populated area contribute to its overall risk management measures. As a critical resource for water storage and fire protection in the region, Christensen #1 highlights the importance of maintaining infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to ensure long-term sustainability and safety for surrounding communities.
With Congressman Greg Gianforte representing the area in Congressional District 00, Montana, Christensen #1 serves as a vital structure that showcases the collaboration between federal agencies like the USDA NRCS and state regulators like the DNRC. Understanding the dam's purpose, design, and regulatory oversight provides valuable insights for enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in rural Montana.
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 Christensen #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Poplar River Near Poplar Mt | 36 cfs | → |
| Poplar River At International Boundary | 6 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Wolf Point Mt | 4,840 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Creek Near Antelope Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Cr Nr Mouth Nr Culbertson Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Nashua Mt | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Christensen #1.
Track Christensen #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 Christensen #1
Where does the data for Christensen #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 Christensen #1.