Peterson Lake dam
Peterson Lake
Peterson Lake, located in Missoula, Montana, is a privately owned water resource managed for irrigation purposes. The earth dam, standing at 12 feet high with a storage capacity of 170 acre-feet, was completed in 1920 along the TR-Rattlesnake Creek. With a low hazard potential and no current condition rating, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Despite being under state jurisdiction and regulation by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Peterson Lake has not been rated for its condition assessment. While it has not been inspected recently and lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), the dam remains a vital infrastructure for water storage and distribution in the area. The risk management measures and preparedness for potential emergencies are areas that could be improved for the long-term sustainability of the dam.
With its location in the beautiful city of Missoula and its importance for irrigation, Peterson Lake serves as a significant water resource for the community. As climate change continues to impact water availability and usage patterns, ensuring the safety and efficiency of dams like Peterson Lake will be crucial for adapting to the changing environmental conditions and maintaining a reliable water supply for agricultural activities 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 Peterson Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 9,140 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot River Near Bonner Mt | 6,180 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 3,020 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 18,900 cfs | → |
| South Fork Jocko River Near Arlee Mt | 361 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peterson Lake.
Boat launches
- Mt 200 10495, Missoula County
- Johnsrud Boat Launch
- Whitaker Boat Launch
- Whitaker Bridge Day Use
- Southside Road Missoula County
Campgrounds
- Missoula Koa
- Johnsrud Park Fas
- Thibodeau Campground
- Thibodeau Fas
- Corricks River Bend Fas
- Hidden Lake Campground
Fishing spots
- Blackfoot River
- Bitterroot River
- Belmont Creek
- Deep Creek Fishing Access
- Blacktail Lake
- Petty Creek Fishing Access
Paddle runs
- High Falls Creek Headwaters, Sec. 5, T14n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 2, T14n, R18w
- East Fork Headwaters, Sec. 8, T14n, R17w To Mainstem, Sec. 14, T14n, R18w
- Lake Creek Headwaters, Sec. 30, T15n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 21, T15n, R18w
- Wrangle Creek Headwaters, Sec. 18, T15n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 21, T15n, R18w
- Spring Gulch Headwaters, Sec. 12, T14n, R19w To Mainstem, Sec. 35, T14n, R19w
- Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 4, T15n, R18w To Boundary, Sec. 2, T13n, R18w
Track Peterson Lake 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 Peterson Lake
Where does the data for Peterson Lake 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 Peterson Lake.