Willow Belt dam
Willow Belt
Willow Belt is a private irrigation dam located in Fort Benton, Montana, along the Big Willow Creek. Built in 1951, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and stretches 500 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet for irrigation purposes. The dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite its low hazard potential and current condition assessment of "Not Rated," Willow Belt serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, offering a reliable source of water for agricultural activities. The dam is situated in a picturesque location in Cascade County and plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage for irrigation needs. With its primary purpose being irrigation, Willow Belt continues to contribute to the sustainable use of water resources in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Willow Belt in the local water infrastructure, as it represents a historical and functional asset in the management of water resources in Montana. As part of the broader network of dams and structures in the area, Willow Belt highlights the importance of responsible water management practices to support agricultural activities and maintain a balanced ecosystem. With state regulation and oversight in place, this private dam serves as a key player in ensuring water security and sustainability for the community of Fort Benton and beyond.
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 Willow Belt -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Near Great Falls Mt | 5,620 cfs | → |
| Belt Creek Near Monarch Mt | 234 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mt | 4,040 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,420 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Eden Mt | 434 cfs | → |
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 1,120 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Belt.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Thain Creek Campground
- Thain Creek
- Thain Creek Camp Ground
- Gateway Military - Malmstrom Afb
- Logging Creek Campground
- Logging Creek
Fishing spots
Track Willow Belt 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 Willow Belt
Where does the data for Willow Belt 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 Willow Belt.