La Bonte dam
La Bonte
Located in Richland County, Montana, the La Bonte dam stands as a testament to the meticulous work of the USDA NRCS, serving as a crucial water resource in the region. Completed in 1959, this Earth dam boasts a height of 21 feet and a length of 600 feet, providing a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the DNRC, ensuring state oversight and enforcement for its operations and maintenance.
Situated on TR-FOURMILE CREEK, the La Bonte dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and storage in the area, with a low hazard potential and a current condition assessment of "Not Rated". Despite lacking specific hazard and risk assessment data, the dam serves its primary purpose effectively, supported by state permitting, inspection, and enforcement measures. With a primary owner of Private ownership type, the dam remains a reliable water management structure in the region, contributing to the overall climate resilience and water resource sustainability.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the La Bonte dam presents an intriguing case study of a well-maintained Earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS. With a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet and a low hazard potential, this structure stands as a testament to effective state regulation and oversight. While lacking specific risk assessment data, the dam continues to serve its purpose, demonstrating the importance of reliable infrastructure in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts.
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 La Bonte -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Charbonneau Creek Nr Charbonneau | 0 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Sidney Mt | 13,400 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Culbertson Mt | 5,080 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Cr Nr Mouth Nr Culbertson Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston | 17 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River Nr Watford City | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near La Bonte.
Campgrounds
- Sharbano City Park
- Snowden Bridge Fas
- Sundheim Park
- Fort Buford State Historic Site
- Confluence Access
- Trenton Lake Rec Area
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track La Bonte 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 La Bonte
Where does the data for La Bonte 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 La Bonte.