Rattlesnake Dam dam
Rattlesnake Dam
Rattlesnake Dam, located in Glendive, Montana, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Built in 1962, this dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond with a storage capacity of 89 acre-feet. The dam stands at a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 22 feet, spanning a length of 498 feet.
With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Rattlesnake Dam poses a moderate risk level based on available data. Despite being uncontrolled, the dam has a spillway width of 2 feet and a maximum discharge of 70 cubic feet per second. Its primary purpose is to support fish and wildlife activities, making it a vital resource for conservation efforts in the region.
Although not regulated by the state, Rattlesnake Dam undergoes inspections every five years to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness status are not specified in the data, but its historical significance in supporting aquatic life and maintaining water resources in the area is evident. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role of structures like Rattlesnake Dam is crucial in preserving the ecological balance and sustainability of our natural environments.
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 Rattlesnake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone River At Glendive Mt | 13,400 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Nr Trotters | 2 cfs | → |
| Powder River Near Locate Mt | 20 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River At Medora | 40 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River At Marmarth | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rattlesnake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Rattlesnake Reservoir
- Oil Pump Reservoir
- Pine-On-The-Rock Campground
- Makoshika State Park
- Jaycee West City Park
- Glendive Campground
Paddle runs
- Southern Boundary Of The South Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park To Northern Boundary Of The South Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Southern Boundary Of The Elkhorn Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park To Northern Boundary Of The Elkhorn Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Track Rattlesnake Dam 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 Rattlesnake Dam
Where does the data for Rattlesnake Dam 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 Rattlesnake Dam.