Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) dam
Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq)
Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located in Lake County, Montana, along the Flathead River. Built in 1938, this arch dam stands at a height of 200 feet with a storage capacity of 1,791,000 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities, making it a valuable resource for both energy production and outdoor enthusiasts.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) is considered to have a high hazard potential due to its structural design and location. With a spillway width of 294 feet and an impressive maximum discharge of 120,000 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to handle large volumes of water flow. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment categorizes it as very high risk, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures to ensure the safety of downstream communities and the surrounding environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) presents a fascinating case study of a historic dam that continues to play a crucial role in Montana's energy infrastructure. Its strategic location along the Flathead River, coupled with its impressive storage capacity and high hazard potential, make it a notable landmark in the region. As efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to shifting water resource dynamics continue, dams like Selis Ksanka Qlispe will play a key role in balancing energy production, water management, and environmental conservation in the years to come.
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 Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flathead River Near Polson Mt | 27,000 cfs | → |
| South Crow Creek Near Ronan Mt | 9 cfs | → |
| Mill Cr Ab Bassoo Cr Nr Niarada Mt | 2 cfs | → |
| Swan River Near Bigfork Mt | 2,560 cfs | → |
| Flathead River At Perma Mt | 28,400 cfs | → |
| Mission Cr Ab Reservoir Nr St Ignatius Mt | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq).
Boat launches
- Point Salish Park
- Elmo Fishing Access
- Lake County
- Us 93 7198, Flathead County
- Flathead County
- Kearney Rapids Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Finley Point State Park
- Big Arm State Park
- North Crow Creek
- Yellow Bay State Park
- Lake Mary Ronan State Park
- West Shore State Park
Fishing spots
- Ashley Creek
- Abbot Lake
- Blacktail Lake
- Big Hawk Lake
- Birch Lake
- Spotted Bear Compound Day Use Site Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Cuttoff, Sec. 9, T18n, R27w To Sec. 34, T19n, R25w
- Headwaters, Sec. 7, T18n, R14w To Morrell Falls, Sec. 24, T18n, R15w
- Headwaters, Sec. 17, T19n, R15w To Seeley Lake, Sec. 20, T17n, R15w
- Wrangle Creek Headwaters, Sec. 18, T15n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 21, T15n, R18w
- Morrell Falls, Sec. 24, T18n, R15w To Morrell Falls Trailhead, Sec. 36, T18n, R15w
- Lake Creek Headwaters, Sec. 30, T15n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 21, T15n, R18w
Track Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) 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 Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq)
Where does the data for Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) 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 Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq).