Hauf Lake dam
Hauf Lake
Hauf Lake, located in Ravalli, Montana, is a privately owned irrigation reservoir that was completed in 1937 by the USDA NRCS. With a dam height of 16 feet and a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, the lake serves as a vital water resource for the area, primarily used for irrigation purposes. The reservoir is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), ensuring proper inspection, enforcement, and permitting to maintain its function and safety.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Hauf Lake poses a moderate risk due to its outdated last inspection date in 1979 and lack of recent condition assessments. The spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 4 feet and a maximum discharge of 60 cfs. While the risk level is moderate, there are currently no specific risk management measures or emergency action plans in place for the reservoir, highlighting the need for updated assessments and preparation for potential emergencies.
Overall, Hauf Lake stands as a historic water resource in Montana, providing essential irrigation water for the region. However, with its dated infrastructure and minimal risk management measures, there is a call for increased attention to ensure the safety and sustainability of the reservoir in the face of evolving climate challenges and potential hazards.
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 Hauf Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 2,520 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Darby Mt | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 4,130 cfs | → |
| West Fork Bitterroot River Nr Conner Mt | 296 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Rock Cr Nr Philipsburg Mt | 294 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 8,870 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hauf Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Hauf Lake
Where does the data for Hauf 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 below 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.
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.