Carlton Lake #1 dam
Carlton Lake #1
Carlton Lake #1, located in Missoula, Montana, is a private irrigation reservoir constructed in 1899 by the USDA NRCS. The dam, classified as an Earth type, stands at a height of 22 feet and stretches 420 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 450 acre-feet. Situated on Carlton Creek, the reservoir covers an area of 40 acres and serves the primary purpose of irrigation for the surrounding agricultural lands.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment level, Carlton Lake #1 is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources Conservation (DNRC) and undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement measures. The spillway, classified as uncontrolled, is 28 feet wide, providing a vital safety feature for managing water levels during periods of high discharge. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, prompting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of downstream communities.
As a historical irrigation structure, Carlton Lake #1 represents a key component of the local water resource infrastructure, playing a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region. With its location in the picturesque city of Lolo and its association with the scenic Carlton Creek, the reservoir stands as a testament to the engineering ingenuity of its time, while also highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Carlton Lake #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 5,390 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 11,400 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 3,870 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 6,270 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 2,070 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 1,360 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carlton Lake #1.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Chief Looking Glass Fas
- Larry Creek Group Site Group Campground
- Charles Waters Campground
- Charles Waters
- West Fork Butte Lookout
- Lewis And Clark
Fishing spots
- Bass Creek
- Bitterroot River
- Deep Creek Fishing Access
- Burnt Fork Bitterroot River
- Blackfoot River
- Petty Creek Fishing Access
Paddle runs
- Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w
- No Name Creek Headwaters, Sec. 30, T10n, R22w To Mainstem, Sec. 24, T10n, R22w
- Missoula Town Run
- Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 4, T15n, R18w To Boundary, Sec. 2, T13n, R18w
- Spring Gulch Headwaters, Sec. 12, T14n, R19w To Mainstem, Sec. 35, T14n, R19w
- Montana Creek, Sec. 18, T11n, R24w To Fish Creek, Sec. 8, T12n, R24w
Track Carlton Lake #1 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 Carlton Lake #1
Where does the data for Carlton Lake #1 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 Carlton Lake #1.