Wyotana Ranch #4 dam
Wyotana Ranch #4
Wyotana Ranch #4 is a privately owned earth dam located in Carter, Montana, near Camp Crook, South Dakota. Completed in 1962, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and a small fish pond. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 400 feet, it has a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 24 acre-feet.
Situated on Thompson Creek, this low-hazard dam is regulated and inspected by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Despite not having a current condition rating, it is considered to have a low hazard potential. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, but it meets state regulatory requirements for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Although the structure has not been modified in recent years, it continues to provide essential services to the local community while posing minimal risk to downstream areas.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wyotana Ranch #4 represents a key infrastructure supporting agriculture and ecological needs in the region. This dam exemplifies the importance of proper maintenance and regulation to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in rural areas. With its multiple uses and relatively low risk profile, it serves as a valuable asset for both the owner and the surrounding environment.
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 Wyotana Ranch #4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche River Near Alva | 14 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line | 7 cfs | → |
| Little Powder River Ab Dry Creek | 3 cfs | → |
| Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line | 12 cfs | → |
| Redwater Cr At Wy-Sd State Line | 16 cfs | → |
| Crow Creek Near Beulah | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wyotana Ranch #4.
Campgrounds
Track Wyotana Ranch #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 Wyotana Ranch #4
Where does the data for Wyotana Ranch #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 Wyotana Ranch #4.