Averill dam
Averill
Averill is a key irrigation dam located in Flathead, Montana, along the TR-Little Bitterroot River. Built in 1964 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a storage capacity of 214 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 135 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation, supporting the local agriculture industry in the region.
Managed by the DNRC and subject to state regulations, Averill is deemed to have low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone any major modifications and lacks a formal Emergency Action Plan. With a maximum discharge capacity of 63 cubic feet per second and a spillway width of 24 feet, Averill plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its effective operation in the face of changing climate conditions.
As a structure under the jurisdiction of the Seattle District and Congressional District 00 in Montana, Averill stands as a testament to the collaboration between local government agencies and federal entities like the USDA NRCS in managing water resources for irrigation purposes. With its presence supporting agriculture in the region, this dam serves as a vital component in the sustainable utilization of water in the face of evolving climate challenges, emphasizing the need for ongoing oversight and investment in infrastructure to safeguard against potential risks and ensure the resilience of water resources for future generations.
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 Averill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Cr Ab Bassoo Cr Nr Niarada Mt | 2 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Libby Mt | 714 cfs | → |
| Thompson River Near Thompson Falls Mt | 784 cfs | → |
| Flathead River Near Polson Mt | 30,200 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River Bl Libby Dam Nr Libby Mt | 10,100 cfs | → |
| Flathead River At Columbia Falls Mt | 30,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Averill.
Boat launches
- Logan State Park Montana
- North Ashley Lake Road Flathead County
- Lake County
- Elmo Fishing Access
- Flathead County
- Us 93 7198, Flathead County
Campgrounds
- Mcgregor Lake
- Mcgregor Lake Campground
- Logan State Park
- Logan Park Campground
- Bend Guard Station
- Thompson Chain Of Lakes Dispersed
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Vermilion River
- Willow Creek, Sec. 32, T24n, R29w To Noxon Reservoir, Sec. 14, T24n, R31w
- Junction Of The Fisher River (Three Miles Sownstream Of Libby Dam) To Tub Gulch, Approximately Four Miles Upstream From The Town Of Libby, Montana
- East Fork Bull River, Headwaters, Sec. 13, T27n, R32w To Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Boundary, Sec. 3, T27n, R32w
- Cabinet Mtns Wilderness Boundary, Sec. 3, T27n, R32w To Bull River, Sec. 12, T27n, R33w
- Cuttoff, Sec. 9, T18n, R27w To Sec. 34, T19n, R25w
More reservoirs
Track Averill 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 Averill
Where does the data for Averill 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 Averill.