Storm Lake Dam dam
Storm Lake Dam
Storm Lake Dam, located in Anaconda, Montana, is a vital piece of infrastructure primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1898, this earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 2150 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 1.9 square miles and a maximum discharge of 520 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam, situated on Storm Lake Creek, is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2015. With a history dating back over a century, Storm Lake Dam continues to serve as a key component of the local water infrastructure, contributing to the irrigation needs of the surrounding area.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the maintenance and proper management of dams like Storm Lake Dam become increasingly crucial. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, this dam plays a vital role in water management and agricultural activities in the region, highlighting the importance of sustainable water resource management practices for a changing climate.
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 Storm Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint Creek Near Southern Cross Mt | 31 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Rock Cr Nr Philipsburg Mt | 262 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs Creek Near Anaconda Mt | 98 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Wise River Mt | 112 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Bl Mudd Cr Nr Wisdom Mt | 742 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Opportunity | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Storm Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Sawlog Creek
- East Bank Boat Ramp
- Dickie Bridge Boat Ramp
- Pintler Creek Boat Ramp
- Jerry Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Stuart Mill Bay Fas
- East Fork Group Picnic Area
- Lower Seymour Lake Campground
- Seymour Creek
- Seymour Creek Campground
- Spring Hill Campground
Track Storm 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 Storm Lake Dam
Where does the data for Storm 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 High 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 Storm Lake Dam.