Fish Lake dam
Fish Lake
Fish Lake, located in Ravalli County, Montana, is a federal-owned water resource managed by the USDA Forest Service. Built in 1927, this Earth dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond for recreational activities. With a dam height of 26 feet and a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet, Fish Lake covers a surface area of 6 acres and is fed by the South Fork Lost Horse Creek.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Fish Lake's condition assessment remains unrated as of the last inspection in March 2017. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a moderate risk assessment rating. While no emergency action plan has been reported, the site's risk management measures and inundation maps status are also unknown. With its picturesque location and diverse purposes, Fish Lake stands as a vital water resource in the region, attracting enthusiasts interested in water conservation and climate-related activities.
Surrounded by the stunning wilderness of Hamilton, Montana, Fish Lake remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As a key component of the region's ecosystem, the lake not only serves practical purposes such as fire protection and stock watering but also offers recreational opportunities for visitors. Given its historical significance dating back to 1927 and the Forest Service's role in its maintenance, Fish Lake continues to be a captivating destination for those interested in the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and environmental conservation.
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 Fish Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot River Near Darby Mt | 1,910 cfs | → |
| West Fork Bitterroot River Nr Conner Mt | 641 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Rock Cr Nr Philipsburg Mt | 262 cfs | → |
| Selway River Nr Lowell Id | 7,320 cfs | → |
| Salmon River Nr Shoup Id | 4,170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fish Lake.
Boat launches
- Lake Como Road Ravalli County
- Old Darby Road Ravalli County
- Darby Boat Ramp
- Rocky Mountain Road Ravalli County
- Applebury Boating Site
- Idaho County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lick Creek Bridge, Sec. 18, T4n, R21w To Bear Creek Pass, Sec. 5, T4n, R23w And Twin Lakes Dam, Sec. 29, T5n, R23w
- Blodgett Lake Dam, Sec. 27, T6n, R23w To S-B Wilderness Boundary, Sec. 17, T6n, R21w
- S-B Boundary, Sec. 17, T6n, R21w To Westside Of Blodgett Campground, Sec. 17, T6n, R22w
- West Side Blodgett Campground, Sec. 17, T6n, R21w To Bitterroot Forest Boundary, Sec. 17, T6n, R21w
- Selway River, Sec. 16, T31n, R13e To Headwaters
- 32nd Street To Smelter
More reservoirs
Track Fish 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 Fish Lake
Where does the data for Fish 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 Fish Lake.