Jeffers #1 dam
Jeffers #1
Jeffers #1 is a privately owned earth dam located in Benteen, Big Horn County, Montana. Built in 1959 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond. The dam has a height of 26 feet and a storage capacity of 215 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 71 acre-feet.
Situated on the TR-Little Big Horn River, Jeffers #1 is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. With a maximum discharge capacity of 250 cubic feet per second and an uncontrolled spillway width of 20 feet, the dam is designed to safely manage excess water flow during periods of high rainfall or snowmelt.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the strategic design and multi-functional use of Jeffers #1. With its important role in providing water for firefighting, livestock, and fish habitat, this dam represents a vital piece of infrastructure in the region. Its location in the beautiful Montana landscape adds to its significance as a key component of water resource management in the area.
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 Jeffers #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rosebud C At Reservation Bndry Nr Kirby Mt | 8 cfs | → |
| Little Bighorn River Near Hardin Mt | 219 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Near St. Xavier | 1,520 cfs | → |
| East Pass Creek Near Dayton | 12 cfs | → |
| West Pass Creek Near Parkman | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Bighorn River At State Line Nr Wyola Mt | 193 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jeffers #1.
Campgrounds
- Mallards Landing Fas
- Two Leggins Fas
- Bighorn Fas
- Afterbay - Bighorn Canyon National Rec Area
- Afterbay Campground
- Grant Marsh Fas
Fishing spots
- Arapooish Pond
- Bighorn Lake
- Anita Reservoir
- Tongue River Fishing Site
- Sheridan Fairgrounds Pond
- Tongue River Fishing East
Paddle runs
- Southeastern Boundary Of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area To Confluence With Bighorn River
- Wagon Box Creek To Dry Fork Trail
- Dry Fork River From Its Confluence With Lake Creek To Confluence With Little Big Horn
- Bridge At Tongue River Canyon To Burgess Picnic Grounds
- Sf Tongue- Johnson Creek To Confluence With Nf Tongue
- Fools Gold Crossing (Fdr 480) To Wagon Box Creek
More reservoirs
Track Jeffers #1 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 Jeffers #1
Where does the data for Jeffers #1 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 Jeffers #1.