Anderson Lake dam
Anderson Lake
Anderson Lake, located in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, is a privately owned reservoir completed in 1956 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. With a dam height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 680 acre-feet, the lake serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area. The structure, primarily made of earth, has a low hazard potential and is state regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
The reservoir, situated along Willow Creek, has a normal storage capacity of 348 acre-feet and covers an area of 300 feet in length. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, it undergoes regular state inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its modest size, Anderson Lake plays a crucial role in fire protection and agricultural activities in the region, reflecting the importance of sustainable water resource management in a changing climate.
As an enthusiast of water resources and climate, Anderson Lake offers a fascinating case study of a small but significant reservoir in Montana. Its history, purpose, and regulatory oversight provide valuable insights into the balance between human needs and environmental conservation in the management of water resources. The lake's location, design, and low hazard potential underscore the importance of responsible stewardship and proactive risk management in safeguarding water infrastructure for future generations.
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 Anderson Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sun River Bl Diversion Dam Nr Augusta Mt | 641 cfs | → |
| Sun River Bl Willow Cr Nr Augusta Mt | 561 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 685 cfs | → |
| North Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 564 cfs | → |
| Teton River Bl South Fork Nr Choteau Mt | 167 cfs | → |
| Dearborn River Near Craig Mt | 150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Anderson Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Nilan Reservoir Fas
- Double Falls Campground
- Willow Creek Fas
- Wood Lake
- Wood Lake Campground
- Home Gulch Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters, Sec. 15, T18n, R10w To Straight Creek, Sec. 25, T19n, R10w
- Headwaters, Sec. 13, T18n, R10w To Forest Boundary, Sec. 6, T17n, R7w
- 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
- Fool Creek, Sec. 24, T25n, R11w To Wilderness Boundary
- Dobrota Headwaters, Sec. 23, T18n, R10w To Mainstem, Sec. 31, T18n, R9w
Track Anderson Lake 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 Anderson Lake
Where does the data for Anderson Lake 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 Anderson Lake.