Benson dam
Benson
Benson, a private irrigation dam located in Twin Bridges, Montana, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in the region. Constructed in 1952 by the USDA NRCS, Benson serves the primary purpose of irrigation along Hoffman Gulch, with a storage capacity of 107 acre-feet. The dam, measuring 35 feet in height and 150 feet in length, plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the Beaverhead County area.
Owned privately and regulated by the Montana DNRC, Benson is classified as a low hazard potential structure with a condition assessment of 'Not Rated'. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide essential water resources to the surrounding community, highlighting the importance of regular inspection and maintenance. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Benson contributes to the overall sustainability and resilience of the region in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demands.
With a spillway width of 20 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 260 cubic feet per second, Benson is equipped to handle potential flood events and ensure the safety of downstream areas. While the dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment details are currently not available, its presence underscores the critical role of infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates continue to monitor and support sustainable water management practices, structures like Benson serve as vital assets in safeguarding our 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 Benson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverhead River At Dillon Mt | 116 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River At Barretts Mt | 521 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River Near Twin Bridges Mt | 102 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 133 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Bl Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 345 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Glen Mt | 1,590 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Benson.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Barretts Park - Usbr
- Ruby Reservoir Rec Site
- Notch Bottom Fas
- Clark Canyon Reservoir
- Glen Fas
- Bannack State Park
Fishing spots
Track Benson 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 Benson
Where does the data for Benson 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 Benson.