Lion Lake Dam dam
Lion Lake Dam
Lion Lake Dam, located in Flathead, Montana, was completed in 1948 by the USDA Forest Service and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 22 feet and a hydraulic height of 14 feet, this earth dam on Whelp Creek has a storage capacity of 1,621 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 588 acre-feet and a surface area of 43 acres. The dam has a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Despite its relatively small size, Lion Lake Dam plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem by providing fish and wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities for visitors. The dam is managed and regulated by the Forest Service, ensuring its safe operation and maintenance. With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Lion Lake Dam serves as an important water resource for the surrounding area, supporting the diverse flora and fauna in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the unique design and purpose of Lion Lake Dam make it an intriguing structure to study and appreciate. Its location within the scenic Hungry Horse city, combined with its role in supporting the local environment, makes Lion Lake Dam a valuable asset for both recreational and conservation purposes. The dam's history, construction, and management by the Forest Service add to its significance in ensuring water security and environmental sustainability in the region.
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 Lion Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| S F Flathead River Nr Columbia Falls Mt | 8,190 cfs | → |
| Flathead River At Columbia Falls Mt | 30,400 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Flathead River Nr West Glacier Mt | 10,300 cfs | → |
| N F Flathead River Nr Columbia Falls Mt | 11,600 cfs | → |
| Swan River Near Bigfork Mt | 3,940 cfs | → |
| Swiftcurrent Cr Ab Swiftcurrent Lk At Many Glacier | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lion Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hungry Horse
- National Forest Development Road 5301 Flathead County
- Us 2 Columbia Falls
- Apgar Flats Horse West Glacier
- Bayou Road Flathead County
- Flathead County
Campgrounds
- Emery Bay
- Emery Bay Campground
- Doris Creek
- Doris Creek Campground
- Lost Johnny Point Campground
- Lost Johnny Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lion Lake Dam 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 Lion Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lion Lake Dam 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 High 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 Lion Lake Dam.