U.L.T. Detention Dam dam
U.L.T. Detention Dam
U.L.T. Detention Dam, located in Nashua, Montana, was completed in 1966 by the Bureau of Land Management for the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Willow Creek/Milk River. This gravity dam stands at a hydraulic height of 18 feet and has a length of 1350 feet, with a storage capacity of 432.3 acre-feet and a surface area of 71.6 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is in poor condition according to the last inspection in October 2017, and it has not been assessed for emergency action plans or risk management measures.
The U.L.T. Detention Dam, owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, serves as a critical infrastructure for flood control in Valley County, Montana. Despite lacking state permitting and inspection, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region. However, with a poor condition assessment and moderate risk level, there is a pressing need for improved maintenance and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure in the face of changing climate conditions.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find U.L.T. Detention Dam a fascinating example of federal efforts to manage flood risks in rural areas. The dam's location on the Willow Creek/Milk River and its design as a gravity structure with uncontrolled spillways highlight the challenges and importance of maintaining aging infrastructure for water resource management. As discussions around climate change and extreme weather events continue, the condition and resilience of dams like U.L.T. Detention Dam are crucial considerations for sustainable water management practices in the future.
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 U.L.T. Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Milk River At Tampico Mt | 33 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Hinsdale Mt | 37 cfs | → |
| Beaver Cr Bl Guston Coulee Nr Saco Mt | 67 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Juneberg Bridge Nr Saco Mt | 186 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Nashua Mt | 170 cfs | → |
| Milk River At Malta Mt | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near U.L.T. Detention Dam.
Track U.L.T. Detention 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 U.L.T. Detention Dam
Where does the data for U.L.T. Detention 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 U.L.T. Detention Dam.