Dolcefarniente dam
Dolcefarniente
Dolcefarniente, a privately owned dam located in Judith Basin, Montana, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. Completed in 1960, this earthen dam stands at a height of 20 feet with a length of 175 feet, providing a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Sage Creek, Dolcefarniente is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), ensuring that it meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements.
Despite its low hazard potential, Dolcefarniente plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. With a normal storage capacity of 26 acre-feet, this dam helps in maintaining water levels for various uses while also serving as a habitat for small fish. The dam's location in the city of Benchland, Montana, highlights its importance in providing essential water resources for both agricultural and ecological purposes in the region.
As a key structure in the local water infrastructure, Dolcefarniente represents a blend of practical functionality and environmental stewardship. With its strategic placement and regulated operations, this dam exemplifies the intersection of human needs and natural resource management in ensuring sustainable water availability for the community and ecosystem alike. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Dolcefarniente serves as a fascinating example of how man-made structures can harmoniously coexist with the surrounding environment to support both human activities and ecological balance.
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 Dolcefarniente -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belt Creek Near Monarch Mt | 255 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 149 cfs | → |
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 434 cfs | → |
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 170 cfs | → |
| Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt | 359 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dolcefarniente.
Campgrounds
- Ackley Lake State Park
- Judith River State Wma
- Judith Station Campground
- Judith Station
- Judith Station Day Use Area
- Judith Guard Station Cabin
Fishing spots
- Ackley Lake Feeder Canal
- Running Wolf Creek
- Sage Creek (Judith Drainage)
- Dipping Vat Pond
- Dry Wolf Creek
- Middle Fork Judith River
Paddle runs
Track Dolcefarniente 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 Dolcefarniente
Where does the data for Dolcefarniente 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 Dolcefarniente.