Yellowtail Dam, Montana, USA

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Quick Facts About Yellowtail Dam

Location: Big Horn, Montana
Coordinates: 45.3068, -107.9581
River: Bighorn River
Primary Purpose:
Type: Concrete Arch
Commissioned: 1966
Dam Height: 491 ft (150 m)
Dam Length: 1,480 ft (451 m)
Dam Capacity: 1,331,725 acre-ft (1,642,656 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Yellowtail Dam Map

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Yellowtail Dam Information

Yellowtail Dam is a concrete arch dam located about 2 miles from Fort Smith, Big Horn, Montana.

The dam, which is on the Bighorn River, was primarily built for purposes, but also serves for benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1966 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Yellowtail Dam Structure

The Yellowtail Dam is approximately 1,480 feet (451 m) long, 491 feet (150 m) high and has a structural volume of 1,546,000 cubic yards (1,182,002 cubic metres).

Yellowtail Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 1,020,573 acre-ft (1,258,856 Ml) and maximum capacity of 1,331,725 acre-ft (1,642,656 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 17,958 acres (7,267 ha) and the total catchment area is 19,650 square miles (50,893 square kilometres).

Yellowtail Dam Spillway

The dam has a 32 feet (10 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 93000 cubic feet per second (2633 cubic metres per second).

Yellowtail Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Yellowtail Dam
Big Horn, Montana
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 491 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 1,480 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 1,331,725 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 19,650 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Yellowtail Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Yellowtail Dam

Failed to fetch current weather data.

7-Day Forecast for Yellowtail Dam

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Yellowtail Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Yellowtail Dam?

Yellowtail Dam is in Montana.

In which county is the Yellowtail Dam?

Yellowtail Dam is in Big Horn County.

How high is the Yellowtail Dam?

Yellowtail Dam is 491 feet high.

How long is the Yellowtail Dam?

Yellowtail Dam is 1,480 feet long.

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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