Big Creek Lake dam
Big Creek Lake
Big Creek Lake, located in Stevensville, Montana, is a private reservoir with a primary purpose of irrigation. The dam, built in 1892 by the USDA NRCS, is a concrete gravity structure standing at 12 feet high and 65 feet long. The lake has a storage capacity of 2,904 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 242 acres and serving a drainage area of 50 square miles.
Despite its age, Big Creek Lake is state regulated, with the DNRC overseeing permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The spillway, with a width of 145 feet, is uncontrolled, and the hazard potential is deemed significant. While the condition assessment is not rated, the emergency action plan was last revised in August 2021, indicating a proactive approach to risk management. With moderate risk identified, the reservoir remains a crucial water resource in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be drawn to Big Creek Lake for its historical significance and operational importance in the irrigation sector. Its location in the beautiful Ravalli County, surrounded by the Big Creek stream, adds to its appeal for those interested in sustainable water management practices. As a key feature in the local landscape, the reservoir serves as a testament to the ingenuity of early dam engineers and continues to play a vital role in supporting agricultural activities in the area.
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 Big Creek Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 8,230 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 18,900 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 9,140 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 3,020 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 2,380 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Creek Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Charles Waters Campground
- Charles Waters
- Larry Creek Group Site Group Campground
- First Beaver Ridge Spot
- White Sand Campground
- White Sand
Fishing spots
- Bass Creek
- Blodgett Creek
- Burnt Fork Bitterroot River
- Bitterroot River
- Burnt Fork Lake
- Deep Creek Fishing Access
Paddle runs
- No Name Creek Headwaters, Sec. 30, T10n, R22w To Mainstem, Sec. 24, T10n, R22w
- Trail #47 And #50, Sec. 5, T36n, R15e To Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Boundary, Sec. 36, T36n, R15e
- Blodgett Lake Dam, Sec. 27, T6n, R23w To S-B Wilderness Boundary, Sec. 17, T6n, R21w
- White Sand Mouth, Sec. 34, T37n, R14e To Trail #47 And Trail #50, Sec. 5, T36n, R15e
- White Sands To White Pine (Indian Grave Creek)
- S-B Boundary, Sec. 17, T6n, R21w To Westside Of Blodgett Campground, Sec. 17, T6n, R22w
More reservoirs
Track Big Creek 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 Big Creek Lake
Where does the data for Big Creek 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 Significant 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 Big Creek Lake.