Ozone Layer dam
Ozone Layer
Located in Judith Gap, Montana, the Ozone Layer is a privately owned dam that serves as a multipurpose structure for fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 21 acre-feet. Situated on Stephens Gulch, the Ozone Layer dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, with state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safe operation.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the Ozone Layer dam has not undergone recent inspections or evaluations. However, its primary purpose of providing essential water resources for various activities underscores the importance of maintaining its structural integrity and functionality. As climate change continues to impact water resources and ecosystems, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of dams like the Ozone Layer becomes increasingly crucial in mitigating environmental risks and preserving water quality for future generations.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate conservation, understanding the significance of structures like the Ozone Layer dam in maintaining sustainable water management practices is paramount. By recognizing the role of dams in providing essential services while also being mindful of their potential environmental impacts, we can work towards promoting responsible water resource management and climate resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Ozone Layer -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 188 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 175 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Ab Mud Cr Nr Shawmut Mt | 90 cfs | → |
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ozone Layer.
Campgrounds
- Jellison Place Campground
- Timber Creek Dispersed Campground
- Jellison Place
- Crystal Lake Cabin
- Crystal Lake
- Crystal Lake Campground
Fishing spots
- East Fork Cottonwood Creek
- Ackley Lake Feeder Canal
- Big Elk Creek
- Deadmans Basin Reservoir
- Dipping Vat Pond
- Mccartney Creek
Paddle runs
Track Ozone Layer 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 Ozone Layer
Where does the data for Ozone Layer 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 Ozone Layer.