Walker #1 dam
Walker #1
Walker #1 is a privately owned dam located in Melstone, Montana, along the TR-Musselshell River. Built in 1960 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and stretches 110 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 144 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and undergoes state permitting, inspection, and enforcement procedures to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Situated in Musselshell County, Walker #1 serves as a vital water resource for the local community, providing necessary water storage for fire protection and agricultural purposes. With a condition assessment of "Not Rated" and no reported modifications or hazard concerns, the dam poses minimal risk to the surrounding area. Even though the dam does not have an emergency action plan (EAP) in place or updated inundation maps, its low hazard potential and regular state oversight contribute to its overall safety and reliability for water resource management in the region.
As an integral part of the local water infrastructure, Walker #1 plays a crucial role in maintaining water security and availability for residents in Melstone and beyond. With its regulated status and state oversight, the dam ensures proper water management and storage, highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions. Enthusiasts and professionals in the water resource and climate sectors can appreciate the significance of Walker #1 in supporting sustainable water usage and resilience in the region.
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 Walker #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Musselshell River At Musselshell Mt | 109 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Near Roundup Mt | 156 cfs | → |
| Flatwillow Creek Near Mosby Mt | 17 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Mosby Mt | 112 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 1,940 cfs | → |
| Pryor Creek Nr Huntley Mt | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Walker #1.
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Walker #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 Walker #1
Where does the data for Walker #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.