Kistner Hardy Dam dam
Kistner Hardy Dam
Kistner Hardy Dam, located in Gallatin, Montana, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. Constructed in 1945, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and stretches 600 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 340 acre-feet. Situated on the South Fork Muddy Creek, the dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and is classified as having a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment as of April 2022.
Despite its age, Kistner Hardy Dam continues to play a vital role in the region's water resource management, providing essential services to the surrounding community. However, its poor condition and high hazard potential highlight the need for regular inspection, maintenance, and potential upgrades to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam. With its strategic location and historical significance, the dam holds promise for further development and enhancement to meet evolving climate and water resource challenges in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Kistner Hardy Dam presents an intriguing case study of the intersection between infrastructure, environmental protection, and community resilience. Its location in the picturesque landscape of Montana's Gallatin County, along with its multifaceted purposes and historical significance, make it a focal point for understanding the complexities and opportunities inherent in managing water resources in a changing climate. By exploring the challenges and potential solutions associated with this dam, enthusiasts can gain valuable insights into the broader issues facing water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the region.
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 Kistner Hardy Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shields River Nr Livingston Mt | 252 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Toston Mt | 5,010 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River At Logan Mt | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Livingston Mt | 6,260 cfs | → |
| Hyalite C At Hyalite R S Nr Bozeman Mt | 43 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 Kistner Hardy Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Kistner Hardy 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 Kistner Hardy Dam
Where does the data for Kistner Hardy 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 High 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 Kistner Hardy Dam.