Voldseth West Dam dam
Voldseth West Dam
Voldseth West Dam, located in Martinsdale, Montana, is a privately owned earth dam built in 1939 primarily for irrigation purposes on the TR-COMB Creek. With a height of 32 feet and a length of 2200 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1925 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1188 acre-feet and a surface area of 108 acres. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge rate of 20 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Voldseth West Dam is currently in fair condition, as assessed in December 2020. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one performed in May 2020, and the dam has an inspection frequency of 5 years. In case of emergencies, the dam has a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate and an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place. The risk assessment for the dam is considered moderate, with a DSAC (Dam Safety Action Classification) of 3.
Overall, Voldseth West Dam plays a crucial role in the irrigation infrastructure in the area, providing water storage for agricultural purposes. It stands as a testament to the engineering feats of the past, with a continued focus on safety and risk management to ensure the protection of downstream communities and the surrounding environment. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam serves as a point of interest in understanding the intersection of human-made structures with natural water systems and the importance of maintaining and monitoring these vital resources.
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 Voldseth West Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 169 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 214 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt | 201 cfs | → |
| Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt | 383 cfs | → |
| Shields River Nr Livingston Mt | 293 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Voldseth West Dam.
Campgrounds
- Martinsdale Reservoir Fas
- Selkirk Fas
- Crandall Creek Cabin
- Shields River Dispersed Site
- Richardson Campground
- Grasshopper
Fishing spots
- Indian Creek
- Flagstaff Reservoir
- Bair Reservoir
- North Fork Musselshell River
- North Fork Smith River
- Big Elk Creek
Track Voldseth West 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 Voldseth West Dam
Where does the data for Voldseth West 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 High 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 Voldseth West Dam.