Squiggles #1 dam
Squiggles #1
Squiggles #1 is a privately owned earth dam located in Loma, Montana, within Chouteau County. Completed in 1965, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and a small fish pond. With a height of 25 feet and a length of 2000 feet, Squiggles #1 has a storage capacity of 296 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 152 acre-feet. It is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is categorized as having a low hazard potential.
Situated on Sheep Coulee, Squiggles #1 is a vital water resource for the region, providing essential services for both the local community and the surrounding ecosystem. Its strategic location and purpose make it a key element in the water management infrastructure of the area. Despite being privately owned, the dam is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Squiggles #1 become increasingly important. Understanding the condition and functionality of such structures is crucial in mitigating risks and ensuring their resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. With its unique design and historical significance, Squiggles #1 represents a valuable asset in the water resource management framework of 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 Squiggles #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 504 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Chester Mt | 604 cfs | → |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 26 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,420 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 7,010 cfs | → |
| Teton River Near Dutton Mt | 83 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Squiggles #1.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sanford Park - Lake Elwell - Usbr
- Sanford Park - Tiber Reservoir (Lake Elwell)
- Island Area - Lake Elwell - Usbr
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area - Umrbnm
- Wood Bottom
Fishing spots
Track Squiggles #1 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 Squiggles #1
Where does the data for Squiggles #1 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 Squiggles #1.