Hell Roaring dam
Hell Roaring
Hell Roaring is a federal-owned earth dam located in Montana, specifically in Lake County. Constructed in 1914 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. Standing at a structural height of 30 feet and a length of 313 feet, Hell Roaring Dam holds a normal storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and is primarily regulated by the federal agency that built it.
With a significant hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Hell Roaring Dam presents a critical infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor. The dam is situated on Hell Roaring Creek, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area. Despite lacking detailed condition assessments and emergency action plans, the dam's controlled spillway and rock foundation ensure its structural integrity for the time being. As a key component in fire protection and livestock management, Hell Roaring Dam plays a vital role in water management within the region.
As a critical piece of infrastructure with a long history of service, Hell Roaring Dam highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring earth dams for various purposes. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this federal-owned structure, especially in the context of its significant hazard potential and the need for ongoing risk management measures. With a focus on fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management, Hell Roaring Dam stands as a testament to the intricate balance between human needs and environmental stewardship in the management of water resources.
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 Hell Roaring -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flathead River Near Polson Mt | 24,600 cfs | → |
| South Crow Creek Near Ronan Mt | 9 cfs | → |
| Swan River Near Bigfork Mt | 2,660 cfs | → |
| Mission Cr Ab Reservoir Nr St Ignatius Mt | 78 cfs | → |
| S F Flathead R Ab Twin C Nr Hungry Horse Mt | 3,970 cfs | → |
| Mill Cr Ab Bassoo Cr Nr Niarada Mt | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hell Roaring.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Hell Roaring
Where does the data for Hell Roaring 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 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.