Blacks Pond Dam dam
Blacks Pond Dam
Blacks Pond Dam, located in Ashland, Montana, was completed in 1960 and serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond habitat. Managed by the USDA Forest Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a structural length of 460 feet, creating a storage capacity of 74 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Odell Creek and covers a surface area of 5 acres, with a drainage area of 8.1 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Blacks Pond Dam poses a moderate risk due to its condition assessment being labeled as "Not Rated." The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 740 cubic feet per second. While the dam has not undergone recent inspections, its emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unspecified. With its location in Rosebud County and proximity to the Yellowstone River, Blacks Pond Dam serves as an essential water resource for the local ecosystem and surrounding communities.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the unique blend of functions that Blacks Pond Dam fulfills, from supporting wildlife habitats to providing recreational opportunities. As a federal-owned structure maintained by the Forest Service, this dam showcases the importance of sustainable water management practices in a changing climate. While the dam's risk potential is deemed moderate, ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts are crucial to ensure the long-term resilience and safety of this vital water infrastructure 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 Blacks Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue R At Birney Day School Br Nr Birney Mt | 174 cfs | → |
| Hanging Woman Creek Near Birney Mt | 0 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Ashland Mt | 3 cfs | → |
| Tongue River At Tongue R Dam Nr Decker Mt | 295 cfs | → |
| Powder River At Moorhead Mt | 84 cfs | → |
| Tongue R Bl Brandenberg Bridge Nr Ashland Mt | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blacks Pond Dam.
Track Blacks Pond 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 Blacks Pond Dam
Where does the data for Blacks Pond 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 Blacks Pond Dam.