Moncarpic dam
Moncarpic
Moncarpic, located in Chouteau, Montana, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1948 by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes along the Dry Fork Coulee. With a dam height of 20 feet and a length of 400 feet, Moncarpic has a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 1.56 square miles. The dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Moncarpic does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place. The dam's spillway width is 50 feet, with a maximum discharge capacity of 220 cubic feet per second. The structure has not been modified in recent years and is not managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. While the dam's risk assessment, hazard potential, and emergency preparedness require further evaluation, Moncarpic remains a vital resource for water management and conservation in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Moncarpic can explore its historical significance, design features, and operational characteristics. The dam's location in the Omaha District, under Congressional District 00 of Montana, highlights its importance for local water supply, irrigation, and wildlife habitat. As a key infrastructure for fire protection and stock watering, Moncarpic stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to sustainably manage water resources amidst changing climatic conditions 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 Moncarpic -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 26 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 504 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 7,010 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,420 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Chester Mt | 604 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Great Falls Mt | 5,620 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moncarpic.
Boat launches
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area
- Seineurs Reach
- Coal Banks Landing
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Monroe Island
Campgrounds
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area - Umrbnm
- Wood Bottom
- Black Bluff Rapids
- Seineurs Reach
- Evans Bend
Fishing spots
Track Moncarpic 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 Moncarpic
Where does the data for Moncarpic 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 Moncarpic.