John Ragsdale Dam dam
John Ragsdale Dam
John Ragsdale Dam, located in Livingston, Montana, is a private dam primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1980, the earth dam stands at 19 feet high and spans 900 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, the dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. While its hazard potential is classified as low, the dam has not been officially rated for its condition.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), John Ragsdale Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and efficiency. The dam is situated offstream, contributing to the irrigation needs of the surrounding agricultural lands. Despite being a private structure, the dam serves a public purpose by supporting the local farming community and water supply.
With Congressman Greg Gianforte representing the area, the dam's role in water management and climate resilience is crucial for the sustainable development of Park County, Montana. As water resources become increasingly vital in the face of climate change, the John Ragsdale Dam stands as a testament to the importance of efficient water infrastructure for both agricultural and environmental sustainability 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 John Ragsdale Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone River At Corwin Springs Mt | 4,920 cfs | → |
| Hyalite C At Hyalite R S Nr Bozeman Mt | 47 cfs | → |
| Gardner River Near Mammoth Ynp | 282 cfs | → |
| Boiling River At Mammoth | 25 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River Near Gallatin Gateway Mt | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River Near Livingston Mt | 5,340 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Ragsdale Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Yellowstone Trail Park County
- Daily Lake Road Park County
- Carbella Boat Ramp
- Murphy Lane Park County
- Us 89 Park County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Gallatin Forest Boundary, Sec. 32, T7s, R7e To Yellowstone National Park, Sec. 23, T9s, R8e
- Yankee Jim Canyon (Joe Brown To Miner)
- Moose To Storm Castle
- Gardiner Town Run
- Gallatin Canyon, Sec. 19, T4s, R4e To Yellowstone National Park, Sec. 27, T9s, R5e
- The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls
More reservoirs
Track John Ragsdale 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 John Ragsdale Dam
Where does the data for John Ragsdale 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 John Ragsdale Dam.