Banka Dama dam
Banka Dama
Banka Dama, located in Pondera, Montana, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1930 for multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and a small fish pond. With a height of 20 feet and a length of 150 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 62 acre-feet and serves the Rocky Coulee stream. Despite being regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), the dam is classified as low hazard potential with a condition assessment of "Not Rated".
Banka Dama's location in Loma, Montana, under the jurisdiction of the Omaha District and Congressional District 00, makes it an essential water resource structure for the region. While the dam has not been rated for its current condition, its primary purpose of fire protection and stock maintenance highlights its significance for both human and ecological needs. With its historical completion date and ongoing state regulation, Banka Dama stands as a testament to early water management practices in Montana and continues to play a vital role in local water resource management.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Banka Dama offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of historical dam construction and modern regulatory oversight. As a privately owned structure with state jurisdiction and permitting, the dam represents a balance between human utilization of water resources and the need for environmental protection. With its location in a scenic area of Montana and its multiple purposes, including providing water for fire protection and supporting local wildlife, Banka Dama serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices 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 Banka Dama -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Teton River Near Dutton Mt | 83 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Shelby Mt | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Chester Mt | 604 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt | 87 cfs | → |
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 1,120 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Banka Dama.
Track Banka Dama 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 Banka Dama
Where does the data for Banka Dama 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 Banka Dama.