Good Ol West dam
Good Ol West
Good Ol West, a private water resource located in Loma, Montana, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and small fish pond activities. The dam, completed in 1960, stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 258 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 124 acre-feet. Situated on the West Dry Fork Coulee, the dam is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) in Montana, ensuring that it meets state inspection and enforcement standards.
With a low hazard potential and a current condition of "Not Rated," Good Ol West provides a reliable water source for the surrounding area while maintaining a low risk of potential hazards. The dam's location in Chouteau County, Montana, makes it a key feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in exploring the intersection of man-made infrastructure and natural water management systems. Although the dam has not been inspected recently, its historical significance as a source of water and protection highlights its importance in the region.
As an essential part of the local water management infrastructure, Good Ol West represents a balance between human development and environmental conservation in the Montana landscape. Its primary purpose of fire protection, stock maintenance, and small fish pond activities underscores the diverse uses of water resources in the region. For enthusiasts interested in exploring the intersection of water resources and climate change, Good Ol West offers a valuable case study in sustainable water management practices in the state of 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 Good Ol West -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,610 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 477 cfs | → |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 20 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Great Falls Mt | 5,940 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Chester Mt | 604 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Good Ol West.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Evans Bend
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area
- Wood Bottom
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area - Umrbnm
- Black Bluff Rapids
- Seineurs Reach
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Good Ol West 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 Good Ol West
Where does the data for Good Ol West 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 Good Ol West.