Montana #19 dam
Montana #19
Montana #19, also known as Sun Coulee Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Rosebud County, Montana. Built in 1956 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 750 feet in length. With a primary purpose of providing fire protection, stock, and a small fish pond, the dam has a storage capacity of 235 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 3.13 square miles. It is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite its low hazard potential, Montana #19 presents a moderate risk level, rated at 3 on the risk assessment scale. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 100 feet, capable of discharging up to 700 cubic feet per second. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years. Emergency action plans and inundation maps for the structure are yet to be prepared, highlighting the need for proactive risk management measures to ensure the safety and reliability of the dam in the face of potential climate challenges.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Montana #19 serves as a pivotal infrastructure for fire protection and agricultural purposes in the region. Its location in the Sun Coulee tributary and association with the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers underscores its importance in the local water management system. As the dam continues to support the community with its storage capacity and regulatory oversight by the DNRC, stakeholders must remain vigilant in monitoring and addressing any potential risks to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital water resource asset.
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 Montana #19 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt | 10,500 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Musselshell Mt | 90 cfs | → |
| Flatwillow Creek Near Mosby Mt | 18 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Mosby Mt | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Montana #19.
Campgrounds
More reservoirs
Track Montana #19 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 Montana #19
Where does the data for Montana #19 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 Montana #19.