Burnt Fork Dam dam
Burnt Fork Dam
Burnt Fork Dam, located in Stevensville, Montana, is a vital irrigation structure on Burnt Fork Creek, completed in 1902 by the USDA NRCS. With a height of 42 feet and a length of 330 feet, it serves the primary purpose of irrigation, providing a storage capacity of 1037 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 49 acres. The dam, classified as an Earth type, is regulated by the DNRC and undergoes regular state inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Burnt Fork Dam is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. With a moderate risk level and a regular inspection frequency of 5 years, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are currently unspecified. The dam's spillway, with a width of 27 feet, is listed as uncontrolled, indicating a potential need for further risk assessment and management measures to ensure the safety of downstream communities in case of a catastrophic event.
As a crucial component of the local irrigation system, Burnt Fork Dam plays a significant role in supporting agricultural activities in the region. Its location in Ravalli County, Montana, highlights the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts in maintaining the dam's integrity and safeguarding the surrounding ecosystem from potential hazards. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Burnt Fork Dam to be an intriguing case study in balancing water management needs with environmental protection and community safety.
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 Burnt Fork Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 3,030 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Rock Cr Nr Philipsburg Mt | 280 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Southern Cross Mt | 31 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Darby Mt | 1,980 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek At Maxville Mt | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burnt Fork Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Darby Road Ravalli County
- Lake Como Road Ravalli County
- Darby Boat Ramp
- Rocky Mountain Road Ravalli County
Campgrounds
- Crystal Creek Campground
- Gold Creek Campground
- Gird Point Lookout
- Hogback Homestead
- Morgan-Case Homestead
- Morrison Camp
Track Burnt Fork 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 Burnt Fork Dam
Where does the data for Burnt Fork 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 Burnt Fork Dam.