Gala Kul dam
Gala Kul
Gala Kul is a privately owned earth dam in Liberty, Montana, with a primary purpose of serving as a fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Completed in 1960, this dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 113 acre-feet. Situated along the TR-EAST DUGOUT COULEE river or stream, Gala Kul is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state authorities.
Located in LOMA, Montana, Gala Kul has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Despite not having a designated emergency action plan (EAP) or inundation maps prepared, this dam meets state regulatory guidelines and is subject to regular inspections. While Gala Kul does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), it plays a vital role in providing essential water resources for fire protection and livestock purposes in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gala Kul offers a glimpse into the intricate network of privately owned dams that contribute to water management in rural areas. With its strategic location and multiple purposes, this earth dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in supporting local communities and ecosystems. As efforts continue to monitor and assess the condition of Gala Kul, it stands as a testament to the critical role of private stakeholders in safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Gala Kul -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marias River Near Chester Mt | 604 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 504 cfs | → |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 26 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,420 cfs | → |
| Teton River Near Dutton Mt | 83 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 7,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gala Kul.
Campgrounds
- Sanford Park - Lake Elwell - Usbr
- Sanford Park - Tiber Reservoir (Lake Elwell)
- Island Area - Lake Elwell - Usbr
- North Bootlegger - Lake Elwell - Usbr
- Chester City Park
- Wood Bottom Recreation Area
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Gala Kul 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 Gala Kul
Where does the data for Gala Kul 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 Gala Kul.