Twin Lakes dam
Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes in Montana, located in Teton County, is a privately owned water resource that serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. The dam, completed in 1952, is an earth type structure standing at a height of 15 feet and holding a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 28 acres and is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
The low hazard potential of Twin Lakes makes it a valuable asset for the community, providing essential water resources while also being a relatively safe structure. The dam has not been rated for its condition, but regular inspections and enforcement by state agencies ensure its continued operation and safety. The location of the reservoir along the Teton River, with a distance of 16 miles from Chouteau, adds to its importance in the region for water management and environmental conservation.
As a water resource and climate enthusiast, Twin Lakes offers a fascinating case study in sustainable water management and infrastructure development. Its multiple uses, state regulation, and low hazard potential demonstrate the importance of responsible stewardship of our water resources in the face of changing climate conditions. Twin Lakes serves as a reminder of the critical role that small-scale dams play in providing essential services while also highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure their long-term viability.
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 Twin Lakes -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Teton River Bl South Fork Nr Choteau Mt | 210 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Diversion Dam Nr Augusta Mt | 1,420 cfs | → |
| North Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 665 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 746 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Willow Cr Nr Augusta Mt | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Badger Cr Bl Four Horns Canal Nr Browning Mt | 318 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Twin Lakes.
Campgrounds
- Cave Mountain
- Cave Mountain Campground
- Green Gulch Dispersed Camp Campground
- Elko Campground
- Mill Falls Campground
- Mill Falls
Fishing spots
- Sun River Slope Canal
- Davis Lake
- Dry Creek-Krezelok Reservoir
- Duck Creek
- Big Salmon Creek
- Big Salmon Lake
Paddle runs
- 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
- Headwaters, Sec. 34, T28n, R11w To Swift Reservoir
- Schafer Meadows To Bear Creek (Upper)
- Pool Creek, Sec. 7, T28n, R12w To Falls, Sec. 25, T29n, R12w
Track Twin Lakes 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 Twin Lakes
Where does the data for Twin Lakes 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.