Snowfall dam
Snowfall
Snowfall is a private dam located in Circle, Montana, along the TR-Redwater River. Built in 1930, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet, serving purposes such as fire protection, stock watering, and a small fish pond. While its hazard potential is rated as low, the dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, with state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
Situated in McCone County, Snowfall Dam plays a vital role in the local community by providing essential water resources for various uses. The dam's location in a picturesque setting and its historical significance add to its appeal for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its close proximity to the Redwater River and the surrounding natural environment, Snowfall Dam is not only a functional structure but also a symbol of sustainable water management practices in the region.
As an integral part of the water infrastructure in the area, Snowfall Dam exemplifies the importance of maintaining and monitoring water resources to mitigate risks and ensure public safety. With its low hazard potential and state-regulated status, the dam stands as a testament to responsible dam ownership and management. For enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience, Snowfall Dam serves as a fascinating case study of how private dams contribute to the overall water ecosystem and community well-being in 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 Snowfall -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwater River At Circle Mt | 14 cfs | → |
| Nelson Creek Near Van Norman Mt | 0 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Wolf Point Mt | 6,880 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Glendive Mt | 9,690 cfs | → |
| Poplar River Near Poplar Mt | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Snowfall.
Track Snowfall 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 Snowfall
Where does the data for Snowfall 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 Snowfall.