Conleys Lake (Powell) dam
Conleys Lake (Powell)
Conleys Lake (Powell) is a state-owned reservoir located in Powell, Montana, near the city of Deer Lodge. The dam, completed in 1958, serves primarily for irrigation purposes and is classified as an Earth dam with a height of 11 feet and a length of 800 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet and covers an area of 13.8 acres, drawing water from the TR-Tin Cup Joe Creek.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Conleys Lake (Powell) has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. Regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of the dam and reservoir. While there are no associated structures or agencies funded by the federal government, the local congressman representing the area is Greg Gianforte (R) from Congressional District 00 in Montana.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and maintenance of dams and reservoirs in Montana may find Conleys Lake (Powell) to be an interesting case study. With its focus on irrigation and state jurisdiction, this Earth dam provides valuable water storage for agricultural purposes in the region. The implementation of emergency action plans and risk management measures could further enhance the safety and resilience of this vital water resource infrastructure.
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 Conleys Lake (Powell) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Fork At Deer Lodge Mt | 117 cfs | → |
| Little Blackfoot River Near Garrison Mt | 153 cfs | → |
| Lost Creek Near Galen | 5 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Galen Mt | 108 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 53 cfs | → |
| Silver Bow Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Conleys Lake (Powell).
Campgrounds
- Racetrack
- Racetrack Campground And Picnic Area
- Racetrack Cabin
- Lost Creek State Park
- Lst Creek Campground
- Orofino Campground And Picnic Area
Fishing spots
- Stewart Lake Picnic Area
- Boulder Creek
- Red Bridge Fishing Access
- Badger Bay Fishing Access
- Sunnyside Fishing Access
- Bison Creek
Track Conleys Lake (Powell) 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 Conleys Lake (Powell)
Where does the data for Conleys Lake (Powell) 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 Conleys Lake (Powell).