Neptune dam
Neptune
Neptune, located in Vaughn, Montana, is a privately owned earth dam built in 1920 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. Situated on TR-Muddy Creek, this dam has a height of 16 feet and a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Neptune serves as a critical infrastructure for the local community.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Neptune is regulated and inspected by the state, ensuring its safety and functionality. While the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks detailed risk assessment information, it remains an essential resource for water storage and management in Teton County. With its strategic location and primary purpose, Neptune plays a vital role in supporting fire protection efforts and maintaining water supply for livestock and recreational purposes.
Although Neptune's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are currently unknown, its operational status and state jurisdiction highlight its importance in the region. With a historic background dating back to the early 20th century, this earth dam continues to provide valuable water resources for the local community while being subject to state regulations and inspections. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and monitoring the condition of dams like Neptune is crucial for ensuring water security and environmental sustainability in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Neptune -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt | 87 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs | → |
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Teton River Near Dutton Mt | 83 cfs | → |
| Sun River At Simms Mt | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mt | 4,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Neptune.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Fairfield City Park
- Lowry Bridge
- Lowry Camp Site
- Choteau Mountain View Campground
- Gateway Military - Malmstrom Afb
- American Legion/Lions Park - Cascade
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tenderfoot Creek, Sec. 30, T14n, R4e To Deep Creek, Sec. 31, T16n, R4e
- Headwaters, Sec. 13, T18n, R10w To Forest Boundary, Sec. 6, T17n, R7w
- Wilderness Boundary To South Fork Sun River, Sec. 26, T22n, R10w
- Headwaters, Sec. 4, T18n, R10w To North Fork Sun River, Sec. 26, T22n, R10w
- Fool Creek, Sec. 24, T25n, R11w To Wilderness Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Neptune 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 Neptune
Where does the data for Neptune 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 Neptune.