Phantom Coulee Reservoir dam
Phantom Coulee Reservoir
Phantom Coulee Reservoir, located in Chouteau, Montana, is a privately owned water resource managed by the USDA NRCS. Constructed in 1906 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet with a storage capacity of 756 acre-feet. The reservoir's primary source agency is the state of Montana, with regulatory oversight from the DNRC, ensuring that state permitting, inspection, and enforcement are in place to maintain its safety and functionality.
With a significant hazard potential, Phantom Coulee Reservoir plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. It serves as a vital resource for fire protection and livestock watering, contributing to the sustainability of local agriculture and wildlife habitats. The reservoir's location along the Phantom Coulee stream in VIRGELLE, Montana, highlights its strategic importance in managing water resources for both human and ecological needs.
As an essential water infrastructure, Phantom Coulee Reservoir continues to play a key role in the region's water supply and management. With its historical significance dating back over a century, the reservoir stands as a testament to the enduring importance of water resources in sustaining communities and ecosystems. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Phantom Coulee Reservoir to be a captivating example of human ingenuity and stewardship in harnessing and preserving essential natural resources for future generations.
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 Phantom Coulee Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 434 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 6,600 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,610 cfs | → |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 20 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 477 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Great Falls Mt | 5,940 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phantom Coulee Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Hole In The Wall Rec Site
- Slaughter River
- Pablo Rapids (Lower Site)
- The Wall
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
- Monroe Island
Campgrounds
- Dark Butte
- Hole In The Wall Rec Site
- Slaughter River
- Pablo Rapids (Lower Site)
- The Wall
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
Fishing spots
- Panton Coulee Reservoir
- Big Lake
- Shonkin Creek
- Warm Spring Creek
- Highwood Creek
- Sage Creek (Judith Drainage)
Paddle runs
Track Phantom Coulee Reservoir 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 Phantom Coulee Reservoir
Where does the data for Phantom Coulee Reservoir 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 Significant 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 Phantom Coulee Reservoir.