South Axolotl Lake Dam dam
South Axolotl Lake Dam
South Axolotl Lake Dam, located in Madison, Montana, is a gravity dam owned and operated by the Bureau of Land Management. This federal structure stands at a hydraulic height of 9 feet and a structural height of 15 feet, with a length of 282 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 65.98 acre-feet and a surface area of 12.27 acres, serving the purpose of water resource management in the region.
The dam features a controlled spillway and has been assessed to have a low hazard potential, but an unsatisfactory condition. Despite being under the jurisdiction of the DOI BLM and not regulated by the state, the dam poses a very high risk according to a risk assessment. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in September 2017, with an inspection frequency of 5 years, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this vital water resource infrastructure.
With its unique design and significant role in managing water resources in the area, South Axolotl Lake Dam serves as a key structure in the region's water management system. As climate change continues to impact water availability and distribution, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like South Axolotl Lake Dam become critical in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of water resources for both human and environmental needs.
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 South Axolotl Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Madison River Near Cameron Mt | 851 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Bl Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 345 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 133 cfs | → |
| Madison River Ab Powerplant Nr Mcallister Mt | 230 cfs | → |
| Madison River Bl Ennis Lake Nr Mcallister Mt | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Madison River At Kirby Ranch Nr Cameron Mt | 667 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Axolotl Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Storey Ditch Boat Launch
- Madison County
- Mcatee Bridge Madison County
- Ruby Creek Boat Launch
- Trail Creek Day Use
- Palisades Day Use
Campgrounds
- Ruby Reservoir Rec Site
- Clover Meadows Dispersed Camping And Picnic Area
- Ruby Creek Campground
- Vigilante Cabin
- Bear Creek Campground And Picnic Area
- Bear Creek Bunkhouse
Fishing spots
Track South Axolotl 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 South Axolotl Lake Dam
Where does the data for South Axolotl 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 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 South Axolotl Lake Dam.