Tub Lake Dam dam
Tub Lake Dam
Tub Lake Dam, located in Twin Bridges, Montana, is a private-owned structure built in 1904 primarily for irrigation purposes on Birch Creek. Standing at a height of 13 feet with a hydraulic height of 10 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 208 acre-feet and a normal storage of 136 acre-feet. With a significant hazard potential, the dam is classified as an earth-type structure and has a spillway width that allows for a maximum discharge of 55 cubic feet per second.
Despite being a private-owned dam, Tub Lake Dam is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), with state jurisdiction and permitting ensuring compliance with safety and inspection requirements. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, but its risk assessment is moderate with a risk level of 3. Although the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and readiness are not specified, its location in Beaverhead County, Montana, and proximity to Congressional District 00 necessitate preparedness for any potential hazards or emergencies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Tub Lake Dam will find its historical significance and functional purpose in irrigation compelling. The dam's proximity to the scenic Twin Bridges and its role in managing water resources for agricultural activities on Birch Creek make it a valuable infrastructure in Montana's water management landscape. With its moderate risk assessment and significant hazard potential, Tub Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring dam infrastructure to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources 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 Tub Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Hole River Near Melrose Mt | 1,510 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Glen Mt | 1,480 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River At Dillon Mt | 114 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River At Maiden Rock Nr Divide Mt | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River At Barretts Mt | 515 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Jackson Mt | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tub Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Maiden Rock Boat Ramp
- Divide Bridge Boat Ramp
- Jerry Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
- Pintler Creek Boat Ramp
- S-324 155, Beaverhead County
- Dickie Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Dinner Station Campground And Picnic Area
- Price Creek
- Price Creek Campground
- Grasshopper Campground And Picnic Area
- Birch Creek Cabin
- Mono Creek
Fishing spots
Track Tub 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 Tub Lake Dam
Where does the data for Tub 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 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 Tub Lake Dam.