Paddle Board dam
Paddle Board
Paddle Board is a privately owned irrigation dam located on Birch Creek in Chouteau, Montana. Built by the USDA NRCS in 1972, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and spans 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 241 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the DNRC and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, Paddle Board plays a crucial role in providing irrigation water for agricultural purposes in the area. Its primary purpose is irrigation, and it is designed to store and regulate water flow in Birch Creek. With a maximum discharge capacity of 88 cubic feet per second, the dam helps in managing water resources in the region effectively.
Located in the city of Warrick, Paddle Board offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to observe the intersection of human infrastructure with natural water systems. With its historical significance dating back to the early 1970s, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices in supporting agriculture and local communities 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 Paddle Board -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 425 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 7,010 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek Near Havre Mt | 4 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Havre Mt | 981 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Chinook Mt | 6 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek Near Chinook Mt | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paddle Board.
Boat launches
- Monroe Island
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Mt-236 Chouteau County
- Judith Landing
Campgrounds
- Hill County Beaver Creek Park
- Beaver Creek County Park
- Bearpaw Lake Fas
- Monroe Island
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
- Lone Tree Coulee
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Paddle Board 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 Paddle Board
Where does the data for Paddle Board 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 Paddle Board.