Wales Creek Reservoir dam
Wales Creek Reservoir
Wales Creek Reservoir, located in Bonner, Montana, is a privately-owned irrigation reservoir designed by the USDA NRCS in 1953. This Earth-type dam has a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 268 acre-feet, primarily used for irrigation purposes. Situated on the Wales Creek, the reservoir covers a drainage area of 13.91 square miles and has a low hazard potential.
Managed by the DNRC and regulated by the state, Wales Creek Reservoir has a maximum discharge of 390 cfs and a spillway width of 40 feet. Despite not being rated for its condition, the reservoir is inspected, permitted, and enforced by Montana authorities. With its picturesque location and vital role in water resource management for the area, Wales Creek Reservoir is a significant asset in sustaining agriculture and supporting the local community's water needs.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wales Creek Reservoir stands out as an essential infrastructure contributing to sustainable irrigation practices in Powell County, Montana. With its historical significance dating back to the 1950s and ongoing state regulation and inspection, the reservoir serves as a reliable water source for agricultural activities in the region. As efforts continue to ensure the reservoir's safety and efficiency, it remains a key component in water management strategies and climate resilience initiatives in the area, showcasing the importance of responsible water resource development and maintenance.
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 Wales Creek Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Blackfoot R Ab Dry Gulch Nr Ovando Mt | 824 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot R Ab Nevada Cr Nr Helmville Mt | 765 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Drummond Mt | 554 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Drummond Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Nevada Cr Ab Reservoir | 27 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Goldcreek Mt | 380 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wales Creek Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Harry Morgan Fas
- River Junction Fas
- Browns Lake Fas
- Monture Creek Fas
- Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed
- Russell Gates Memorial Fas
Fishing spots
Track Wales Creek Reservoir 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 Wales Creek Reservoir
Where does the data for Wales Creek Reservoir 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 Wales Creek Reservoir.