Culver Springs Dam dam
Culver Springs Dam
Culver Springs Dam, located in Beaverhead, Montana, is a Federal-owned structure under the jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Built in 1959, this Earth dam serves the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond along Hackett Creek. With a height of 9 feet and a length of 232 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 461 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 110 acre-feet and a surface area of 65 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, Culver Springs Dam was assessed as unsatisfactory during its last inspection in August 2018. The dam features other controlled outlet gates and a spillway width of 36 feet. In 1988, the dam underwent modifications for both structural and other purposes. The surrounding area is at a low risk for inundation, and there are currently no Emergency Action Plans in place.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Culver Springs Dam presents an interesting case study in the management and maintenance of water infrastructure. With its unique design and purpose, this dam serves as a valuable resource for the local Fish and Wildlife Service, showcasing the intersection of environmental conservation and engineering practices. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and functionality of Culver Springs Dam, it remains a focal point for ongoing research and discussions in the field of water resource management.
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 Culver Springs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red Rock Cr Ab Lakes Nr Lakeview Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Nr Lake Id | 8 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Blw Coffee Pot Rapids Nr Macks Inn Id | 372 cfs | → |
| Madison River At Kirby Ranch Nr Cameron Mt | 676 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Nr Island Park Id | 718 cfs | → |
| Big Springs At Big Springs Id | 128 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Culver Springs Dam .
Boat launches
- Henry's Lake - Boat Access
- Mccrea Road Fremont County
- Fremont County
- Forest Road 413 Fremont County
- Island Park Boating Site
- Madison County
Campgrounds
- Elk Lake Dispersed Camping And Picnic Area
- Upper Lake Campground
- Upper Lake
- Cliff Point Campground
- Cliff Point
- Hilltop
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Shakelford Homestead, Sec. 26, T12s, R1w To 1/2 Mi Below Landon Camp, Sec. 32, T12s, R1w
- 1/2 Below Landon Camp, Sec. 32, T12s, R1w To Up River 3/4 Mi, Sec. 31, T12s, R1w
- 1/4 Mi West Landon Camp, Sec. 31, T12s, R1w To Fossil Creek, Sec. 27, T12s, R2w
- Elk Rv & Wf Madison Rv, Sec. 17, T12s, R1e To Dirty Creek, Sec. 11, T11s, R1w
- Jackpine Rd & Wf Madison Rd, Sec. 4, T12s, R1e To Shakelford Homestead, Sec. 25, T1s, R1w
- Dirty Ck To Elk River & Gravelly Range Road #290, Sec. 15 T11s R2w
Track Culver Springs Dam 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 Culver Springs Dam
Where does the data for Culver Springs Dam 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 Culver Springs Dam .