Woodchuck dam
Woodchuck
Woodchuck is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Missoula, Montana, on Woodchuck Creek. Built in 1960 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation and is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Woodchuck has not been rated for its condition assessment. With no recent inspection dates or emergency action plans in place, there is a lack of information regarding the safety and maintenance of the dam. However, its location in a picturesque setting in Lolo, Montana, makes it a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the impact of dams on local ecosystems and agriculture in the region.
In the absence of comprehensive data on its current condition and risk assessment, Woodchuck presents an intriguing case study for individuals interested in the intersection of water resource management, climate adaptation, and dam safety. As part of the larger network of dams in the Seattle District, Woodchuck's story highlights the importance of regular inspections, emergency preparedness, and risk management measures to ensure the long-term sustainability and safety of water infrastructure 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 Woodchuck -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 7,690 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 7,840 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 15,400 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 5,390 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Woodchuck.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Chief Looking Glass Fas
- Larry Creek Group Site Group Campground
- Charles Waters
- Charles Waters Campground
- Harry's Flat Campground
- Harrys Flat
Fishing spots
- Bass Creek
- Burnt Fork Bitterroot River
- Blackfoot River
- Bitterroot River
- Deep Creek Fishing Access
- Burnt Fork Lake
Paddle runs
- Lolo/Deerlodge Nfs Boundary To Clark Fork River
- Missoula Town Run
- 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
- 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
Track Woodchuck 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 Woodchuck
Where does the data for Woodchuck 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 Low 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 Woodchuck.