Rocky Crossing Reservoir dam
Rocky Crossing Reservoir
Rocky Crossing Reservoir, located in Chouteau, Montana, is a private irrigation reservoir built in 1950 along Big Sandy Creek. With a capacity of 721 acre-feet, the reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region, specifically for irrigation purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 12.2 meters, serves as a significant water resource infrastructure in the area.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Rocky Crossing Reservoir is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the reservoir's condition assessment is currently not rated, suggesting a need for further evaluation to address any potential risks. The reservoir's location and design make it a key component in water management and conservation efforts in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Rocky Crossing Reservoir to be a valuable asset in the sustainable use of water for agricultural purposes in Montana. As a vital piece of infrastructure along Big Sandy Creek, the reservoir's role in irrigation highlights the importance of efficient water management in supporting local farming activities. With its state-regulated status and ongoing inspections, Rocky Crossing Reservoir stands as a testament to the commitment to maintaining water infrastructure for the benefit of both the community and the environment.
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 Rocky Crossing Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 7,010 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek Near Havre Mt | 4 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Havre Mt | 981 cfs | → |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 26 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 504 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Chinook Mt | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rocky Crossing Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Coal Banks Landing
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Monroe Island
- Hill County
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
Campgrounds
- Little Sandy Coulee Rec Site
- Coal Banks Landing
- Lone Tree Coulee
- Hill County Beaver Creek Park
- Beaver Creek County Park
- Bearpaw Lake Fas
Fishing spots
Track Rocky Crossing Reservoir 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 Rocky Crossing Reservoir
Where does the data for Rocky Crossing Reservoir 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 Significant 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 Rocky Crossing Reservoir.