Babcock dam
Babcock
Babcock is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Racetrack, Montana, along the TR-LOST CREEK river. Built in 1953, this earth dam stands at 15 feet tall and spans 500 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 93 acre-feet for irrigation purposes. Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Babcock is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Despite its low hazard potential, Babcock's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating a need for further evaluation of its structural integrity and maintenance needs. The dam has not been modified in recent years, and its emergency action plan (EAP) status is unknown. However, with a normal storage capacity of 48 acre-feet and a location within Deer Lodge County, Babcock plays a crucial role in providing water resources for agricultural activities in the region.
As a part of the irrigation infrastructure in Montana, Babcock represents a vital link in the water supply chain for local farmers and landowners. With its solid construction and state oversight, Babcock serves as a reliable source of water for the surrounding area, contributing to the sustainability of agriculture in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of dams like Babcock in water management and conservation efforts is essential for ensuring a secure and efficient water supply 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 Babcock -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Creek Near Galen | 5 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Galen Mt | 108 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 53 cfs | → |
| Silver Bow Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 48 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Opportunity | 7 cfs | → |
| Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity Mt | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Babcock.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Racetrack Campground And Picnic Area
- Racetrack
- Lost Creek State Park
- Lst Creek Campground
- Orofino
- Orofino Campground
Fishing spots
- Red Bridge Fishing Access
- Bison Creek
- Stewart Lake Picnic Area
- Badger Bay Fishing Access
- Sunnyside Fishing Access
- Comers Point Fishing Access
Paddle runs
- Trail #329, Sec. 15, T7n, R7w To Sec. 28, T8n, R7w
- Sec. 28, T8n, R7w To Ontario Creek, Sec. 12, T8n, R7w
- Big Hole River
- Rock Creek
More reservoirs
Track Babcock 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 Babcock
Where does the data for Babcock 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 Babcock.