Whitetail dam
Whitetail
Whitetail is a state-owned dam located in Rosebud County, Montana, specifically in Miles City. Completed in 1961, it serves multiple purposes such as fire protection, stock, and a small fish pond. The dam is primarily used for water resource management and is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) in Montana. With a height of 18 feet and a storage capacity of 77 acre-feet, Whitetail plays a crucial role in maintaining water supply and supporting various activities in the area.
Situated on Whitetail Creek, this earth-type dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as 'not rated' in terms of its condition assessment. While the dam has not been inspected recently, it is equipped with state-mandated regulatory measures for inspection, enforcement, and permitting to ensure public safety and water resource sustainability. With its strategic location and purposeful design, Whitetail serves as an essential infrastructure for water management in the region, contributing to the overall climate resilience and resource utilization in the area.
As a key player in the water resource infrastructure of Montana, Whitetail dam provides valuable support for fire protection, livestock, and recreational activities in the surrounding region. With its storage capacity, structural design, and state-regulated operations, the dam remains a vital asset for water management and climate resilience efforts. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Whitetail is essential for promoting sustainable practices and enhancing resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Whitetail -- 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 | → |
| Tongue R Bl Brandenberg Bridge Nr Ashland Mt | 223 cfs | → |
| Powder River Near Locate Mt | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitetail.
Track Whitetail 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 Whitetail
Where does the data for Whitetail 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 Whitetail.