Dry Fields dam
Dry Fields
Dry Fields is a state-regulated irrigation dam located in Wisdom, Montana, along the Dry Gulch river stream. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 269 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 92 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Dry Fields is for irrigation, serving the agricultural needs of the surrounding area.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Dry Fields has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. With state jurisdiction and enforcement in place, the dam undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement. The surrounding area is monitored for potential risks, although specific risk assessment measures and emergency action plans are not currently detailed for the site.
Overall, Dry Fields provides vital water resources for the local community, supporting agricultural activities in Beaverhead County, Montana. With its strategic location and regulated maintenance, this earth dam ensures a reliable water supply for irrigation purposes, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 Dry Fields -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Hole River Bl Big Lake Cr At Wisdom Mt | 39 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Bl Mudd Cr Nr Wisdom Mt | 742 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Jackson Mt | 25 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Wise River Mt | 112 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River At Maiden Rock Nr Divide Mt | 1,650 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Melrose Mt | 1,630 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dry Fields.
Boat launches
- Pintler Creek Boat Ramp
- Sawlog Creek
- East Bank Boat Ramp
- Dickie Bridge Boat Ramp
- Jerry Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
- Lewis And Clark Trail Lemhi County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Pattengail Ck. Sec. 11, T2s, R12w To Jaccobsen & Mono Cks, Sec. 33, T3s, R12w
- Proposed Torrey Peak Wilderness To Proposed Torrey Peak Wilderness
- Sec 15, T2s, R10w To Lion Cr, Sec. 4, T3s, R11w
- Nf Boundary At 4th Of July Creek To Confluence With North Fork
- Big Hole River
Track Dry Fields 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 Dry Fields
Where does the data for Dry Fields 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 Dry Fields.