Cherry Creek #4 dam
Cherry Creek #4
Cherry Creek #4 is a privately owned irrigation structure located in the Rosebud County of Montana, specifically in the city of Forsyth. Completed in 1945, this earth dam has a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Situated on the Hallanger Coulee, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, with the state of Montana regulating and inspecting its operations to ensure its safety and efficiency.
Despite its low hazard potential and the fact that its condition has not been formally rated, Cherry Creek #4 remains an important piece of infrastructure for water management in the area. The dam has not undergone any major modifications since its construction, and emergency preparedness measures like an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) are currently not in place. With its geographical coordinates at 46.6715° N latitude and -107.1651° W longitude, Cherry Creek #4 serves as a vital component in the irrigation network of the region, contributing to agricultural sustainability and water resource management efforts.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and availability, structures like Cherry Creek #4 will play an increasingly crucial role in ensuring water security for agricultural practices in Montana. With its regulated state jurisdiction, regular inspections, and low hazard potential, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective water management infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change will find Cherry Creek #4 to be a fascinating case study in sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 Cherry Creek #4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt | 10,500 cfs | → |
| Flatwillow Creek Near Mosby Mt | 18 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Mosby Mt | 80 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Musselshell Mt | 90 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cherry Creek #4.
Track Cherry Creek #4 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 Cherry Creek #4
Where does the data for Cherry Creek #4 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 Cherry Creek #4.