W C Eustance #1 dam
W C Eustance #1
Located in the picturesque city of Black Eagle, Montana, W C Eustance #1 is a privately owned dam primarily used for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond. Completed in 1945, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 150 feet. With a storage capacity of 63 acre-feet, this structure serves the local community while also being a valuable asset for water resource management in the region.
Situated on the TR-Missouri River, W C Eustance #1 is under state regulation and jurisdiction, with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) overseeing permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition has not been rated, and there are currently no emergency action plans in place. However, the structure continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the surrounding area against fires and providing essential water resources for livestock and recreational purposes.
As a key feature in the local landscape, W C Eustance #1 represents a blend of functionality and environmental stewardship. While its design and purpose cater to practical needs such as fire protection and stock watering, the dam also contributes to the overall resilience of the ecosystem by providing a habitat for small fish and serving as a source of recreation for the community. With its historical significance and ongoing relevance in water resource management, this structure stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural beauty in the Montana wilderness.
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 W C Eustance #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt | 87 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mt | 4,040 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Cascade Mt | 3,530 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs | → |
| Sun River At Simms Mt | 1,030 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near W C Eustance #1.
Boat launches
- River Drive South 814, Great Falls
- Big Bend Boat Ramp
- Old Us Highway 91 Cascade County
- Cascade County
- Lowry Bridge
Campgrounds
- American Legion/Lions Park - Cascade
- Gateway Military - Malmstrom Afb
- Lowry Bridge
- Lowry Camp Site
- Fairfield City Park
- Pelican Point Fas
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tenderfoot Creek, Sec. 30, T14n, R4e To Deep Creek, Sec. 31, T16n, R4e
- Falls, Sec. 25, T14n, R4e To Smith River, Sec. 25, T14n, R3e
- Headwaters, Sec. 13, T18n, R10w To Forest Boundary, Sec. 6, T17n, R7w
- Camp Baker To Eden Bridge
- Missouri River
- Hauser Dam, Sec. 29, T12n, R2w To Cochran Gulch, Sec. 18, T12n, R2w
Track W C Eustance #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 W C Eustance #1
Where does the data for W C Eustance #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 W C Eustance #1.