Really Red dam
Really Red
Really Red is a privately owned dam located in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, near the city of Augusta. Built in 1953, this Earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 129 acre-feet, primarily used for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes. Situated on TR-Fords Creek, this structure is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Really Red serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area. Although its associated structures and inspection details are not specified in the data, the dam's location and purpose highlight its significance in providing essential water storage and management for local needs. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find interest in this dam's history, design, and the role it plays in supporting the community's fire protection and agricultural activities.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, understanding the condition and management of dams like Really Red becomes increasingly important. With the potential for more frequent and intense weather events, ensuring the safety and maintenance of such structures is crucial for both water security and environmental resilience. The data provided offers a glimpse into the regulatory framework and characteristics of Really Red, inviting further exploration and consideration of its role in the broader context of water resource management in 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 Really Red -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sun River Bl Willow Cr Nr Augusta Mt | 561 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Diversion Dam Nr Augusta Mt | 641 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 685 cfs | → |
| North Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 564 cfs | → |
| Teton River Bl South Fork Nr Choteau Mt | 167 cfs | → |
| Dearborn River Near Craig Mt | 150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Really Red.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Nilan Reservoir Fas
- Willow Creek Fas
- Double Falls Campground
- Wood Lake
- Wood Lake Campground
- Home Gulch Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters, Sec. 15, T18n, R10w To Straight Creek, Sec. 25, T19n, R10w
- Headwaters, Sec. 13, T18n, R10w To Forest Boundary, Sec. 6, T17n, R7w
- Wilderness Boundary To South Fork Sun River, Sec. 26, T22n, R10w
- Headwaters, Sec. 4, T18n, R10w To North Fork Sun River, Sec. 26, T22n, R10w
- Dobrota Headwaters, Sec. 23, T18n, R10w To Mainstem, Sec. 31, T18n, R9w
- Fool Creek, Sec. 24, T25n, R11w To Wilderness Boundary
Track Really Red 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 Really Red
Where does the data for Really Red 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 Really Red.