Dry Fork Fairhaven #1 dam
Dry Fork Fairhaven #1
Dry Fork Fairhaven #1 is a state-regulated dam located in Cascade, Montana, specifically in the city of ULM. Built in 1947, this earth dam stands at 8 feet high and has a length of 500 feet, providing essential water storage for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. Situated on the Dry Fork Little Muddy Creek, this dam has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and is primarily overseen by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
Despite being deemed as low hazard potential, the condition of Dry Fork Fairhaven #1 is currently not rated. The dam has not been inspected recently, and there is no information available on its emergency action plan (EAP) status or risk assessment. However, with its critical role in water resource management and potential impacts on the surrounding area, it is essential for stakeholders and enthusiasts to advocate for regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of this vital infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Dry Fork Fairhaven #1 serves as a significant example of the intersection between water management, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. By understanding and monitoring the status of dams like this one, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of water resources, mitigation of climate-related risks, and the overall resilience of communities that rely on such infrastructure for various purposes.
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 Dry Fork Fairhaven #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Cascade Mt | 3,530 cfs | → |
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mt | 4,040 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt | 87 cfs | → |
| Sun River At Simms Mt | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Eden Mt | 434 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dry Fork Fairhaven #1.
Boat launches
- Old Us Highway 91 Cascade County
- Big Bend Boat Ramp
- Cascade County
- River Drive South 814, Great Falls
- Lowry Bridge
Campgrounds
- American Legion/Lions Park - Cascade
- Pelican Point Fas
- Prewett Creek Fas
- Mountain Palace Fas
- Lowry Bridge
- Lowry Camp Site
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tenderfoot Creek, Sec. 30, T14n, R4e To Deep Creek, Sec. 31, T16n, R4e
- Falls, Sec. 25, T14n, R4e To Smith River, Sec. 25, T14n, R3e
- Headwaters, Sec. 13, T18n, R10w To Forest Boundary, Sec. 6, T17n, R7w
- Missouri River
- Hauser Dam, Sec. 29, T12n, R2w To Cochran Gulch, Sec. 18, T12n, R2w
- Town Of Nelson, Sec. 12, T12n, R2w To Missouri River, Sec. 19, T12n, R2w
More reservoirs
Track Dry Fork Fairhaven #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 Dry Fork Fairhaven #1
Where does the data for Dry Fork Fairhaven #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 Dry Fork Fairhaven #1.