Clark (Custer) dam
Clark (Custer)
Clark (Custer) is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Miles City, Montana. Completed in 1958, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a storage capacity of 99 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is irrigation, serving the surrounding agricultural land in Custer County. The structure is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
Situated on the Steiger Creek, Clark (Custer) Dam is identified as having a low hazard potential and its condition is currently not rated. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone any major modifications or assessments in recent years. The emergency action plan for the dam is also not updated, raising questions about its readiness for potential disasters. Overall, Clark (Custer) Dam serves as a vital water resource for the region, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and efficiency for irrigation purposes.
With its location in a key agricultural area and under the jurisdiction of the state of Montana, Clark (Custer) Dam plays a crucial role in supporting local water management efforts. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the proper regulation and maintenance of dams like Clark (Custer) become increasingly important to ensure sustainable water supply for agricultural activities in the region. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, it is essential to monitor and advocate for the safety and efficiency of dams like Clark (Custer) to secure the 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 Clark (Custer) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone River At Miles City Mt | 10,600 cfs | → |
| Tongue River At Miles City Mt | 61 cfs | → |
| Pumpkin Creek Near Miles City Mt | 0 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt | 10,500 cfs | → |
| Powder River Near Locate Mt | 17 cfs | → |
| Tongue R Bl Brandenberg Bridge Nr Ashland Mt | 223 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clark (Custer).
Track Clark (Custer) 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 Clark (Custer)
Where does the data for Clark (Custer) 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 Clark (Custer).