Harvey Lake dam
Harvey Lake
Harvey Lake, located in Teton County, Montana, is a privately-owned reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. Constructed in 1941, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a storage capacity of 1863 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1144 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 114 acres and is fed by the Farmers Canal.
Despite being privately owned, Harvey Lake is subject to state regulation, with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) overseeing permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities. The dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, although its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated." The reservoir does not have an emergency action plan (EAP) in place, and risk assessment and management measures are not specified.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Harvey Lake can appreciate its historical significance as an essential irrigation source in the region. The reservoir's location within the Omaha District and its association with the Congressional District of Montana offer insights into the broader water management and regulatory framework. With its substantial storage capacity and potential for agricultural impact, Harvey Lake serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water resource management, infrastructure development, and environmental stewardship in the state of Montana.
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 Harvey Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Teton River Bl South Fork Nr Choteau Mt | 191 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Diversion Dam Nr Augusta Mt | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Willow Cr Nr Augusta Mt | 1,130 cfs | → |
| North Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 610 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 674 cfs | → |
| Badger Cr Bl Four Horns Canal Nr Browning Mt | 302 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harvey Lake.
Campgrounds
- Choteau Mountain View Campground
- Cave Mountain
- Cave Mountain Campground
- Pishkun Reservoir Fas
- Elko Campground
- Green Gulch Dispersed Camp Campground
Fishing spots
- Davis Lake
- Sun River Slope Canal
- Duck Creek
- Dry Creek-Krezelok Reservoir
- Big Salmon Creek
- Big Salmon Lake
Paddle runs
- Headwaters, Sec. 34, T28n, R11w To Swift Reservoir
- Fool Creek, Sec. 24, T25n, R11w To Wilderness Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To South Fork Sun River, Sec. 26, T22n, R10w
- Headwaters, Sec. 4, T18n, R10w To North Fork Sun River, Sec. 26, T22n, R10w
- Pool Creek, Sec. 7, T28n, R12w To Falls, Sec. 25, T29n, R12w
- Schafer Meadows To Bear Creek (Upper)
Track Harvey Lake 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 Harvey Lake
Where does the data for Harvey Lake 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 Harvey Lake.