White Elk Dam #2 dam
White Elk Dam #2
White Elk Dam #2, located in Two Dot, Montana, is a privately owned earth dam built in 1927 for the primary purpose of irrigation along the UT Bear Creek. With a height of 8 feet and a storage capacity of 133 acre-feet, this dam serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area. Despite its low hazard potential, White Elk Dam #2 is considered to have a high risk level of 2, highlighting the importance of proper risk management measures.
Although the dam's condition assessment is currently labeled as "Not Rated," it is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), with state inspections and enforcement in place. The dam lacks a spillway, but its structural integrity and hydraulic height of 7.5 feet are crucial factors in ensuring its stability during water release events. With no associated structures and a relatively small surface area of 20 acres, White Elk Dam #2 plays a significant role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by the historical significance of White Elk Dam #2, which has stood the test of time for over 95 years. As irrigation remains its primary purpose, the dam continues to contribute to the sustainable management of water resources in Wheatland County, Montana. With its location in a high-risk area, the importance of ongoing risk assessments and management measures cannot be understated to safeguard the surrounding communities and ecosystems that rely on this essential water infrastructure.
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 White Elk Dam #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Musselshell River Nr Martinsdale | 192 cfs | → |
| South Fork Musselshell R Ab Martinsdale Mt | 43 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Harlowton Mt | 245 cfs | → |
| Boulder River At Big Timber Mt | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Ab Mud Cr Nr Shawmut Mt | 136 cfs | → |
| Shields River Nr Livingston Mt | 347 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Elk Dam #2.
Campgrounds
- Shields River Dispersed Site
- Crandall Creek Cabin
- Martinsdale Reservoir Fas
- Selkirk Fas
- Halfmoon Campground
- Porcupine Cabin
Fishing spots
Track White Elk Dam #2 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 White Elk Dam #2
Where does the data for White Elk Dam #2 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 White Elk Dam #2.