Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam dam
Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam
Located in Jefferson, Montana, the Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam is a privately owned structure regulated by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. This dam serves the primary purpose of storing tailings from mining operations, with a storage capacity of 580 acre-feet and a surface area of 285 acres. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment as of June 2018 was deemed satisfactory.
The dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years, with the last inspection conducted in January 2021. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in October 2015, and there are no inundation maps or risk assessments available for the structure. With a history of regulatory compliance and satisfactory condition, the Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam remains a key component in managing water resources and environmental impacts in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam, its role in storing mining waste and potential risks associated with its high hazard potential are important considerations. With ongoing regulatory oversight and routine inspections, the dam continues to operate safely and effectively in Jefferson, Montana, contributing to the responsible management of water resources 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 Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Creek Near Harrison Mt | 6 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Boulder River Near Boulder Mt | 150 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Twin Bridges Mt | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River At Logan Mt | 756 cfs | → |
| Blacktail Creek At Butte Mt | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam.
Boat launches
- Mt 359 Jefferson County
- Us 287 Gallatin County
- Jefferson County
- Canaday Boat Launch
- Madison Road 18367, Gallatin County
- Mt 84 Gallatin County
Campgrounds
- Lewis & Clark Caverns Campground
- Lewis And Clark Caverns State Park
- Toll Mtn Campground
- Toll Mountain
- Toll Mountain Campground
- The Lunch Room
Track Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings 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 Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam
Where does the data for Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings 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 Golden Sunlight #2 Tailings Dam.