Bell Lake Dam, located in Harrison, Montana, was completed in 1957 and is primarily used for irrigation purposes.
Wind
Humidity
Owned by a private entity, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 590 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Tr- Willow Creek S and is regulated by the Forest Service, with design and construction handled by the USDA NRCS.
With a hazard potential rated as high, Bell Lake Dam poses significant risks in case of failure. However, detailed condition assessments are not currently available, and emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) have not been documented. The dam's maximum discharge capacity is 550 cubic feet per second, serving a drainage area of 1.1 square miles.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bell Lake Dam provides a case study in the management and regulation of essential water infrastructure. As concerns around dam safety and emergency preparedness continue to grow, the need for comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation strategies becomes increasingly important to ensure the resilience of our water systems in the face of changing climate conditions.
Year Completed |
1957 |
Dam Length |
120 |
Dam Height |
20 |
River Or Stream |
Tr- Willow Creek S |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
30 |
Hydraulic Height |
20 |
Drainage Area |
1.1 |
Nid Storage |
590 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Nid Height |
20 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Branham Lakes Campground and Picnic Area
|
||
Branham Lakes
|
||
Balanced Rock
|
||
Potosi Campground
|
||
Potosi
|
||
Mill Creek
|