Homestead Dam dam
Homestead Dam
Homestead Dam, located in Roosevelt, Montana, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Built in 1953, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans a length of 19,000 feet, creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond along Big Muddy Creek. With a normal storage capacity of 2,435 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 8,445 acre-feet, this dam serves as a vital resource for maintaining the local ecosystem.
Despite its low hazard potential, Homestead Dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, as of the last inspection in October 2016. The dam underwent modifications in 1990 and 1991 to enhance its hydraulic and structural components. It is equipped with outlet gates for controlled water release, including slide gates. The dam's inspection frequency is set at five years, and it does not fall under state jurisdiction, regulation, or inspection.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Homestead Dam presents an intriguing case study in balancing conservation efforts with infrastructure maintenance. Its role in providing a habitat for fish and wildlife highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices. However, the dam's deteriorating condition underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring the safety and functionality of aging water structures. As discussions around the future of water resources continue to evolve, Homestead Dam serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between human intervention and natural ecosystems in the face of climate change.
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 Homestead Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy Cr Nr Mouth Nr Culbertson Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Culbertson Mt | 5,080 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Creek Near Antelope Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Poplar River Near Poplar Mt | 36 cfs | → |
| Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston | 17 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Wolf Point Mt | 4,840 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Homestead Dam .
Track Homestead Dam 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 Homestead Dam
Where does the data for Homestead Dam 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 Homestead Dam .