Fish Lake (Pondera) dam
Fish Lake (Pondera)
Fish Lake (Pondera) is a privately owned irrigation reservoir located in Valier, Montana. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam was completed in 1960 and stands at a height of 25 feet, with a length of 500 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 292 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of irrigation, supporting agriculture in the region.
Situated on the TR-North Fork Sheep Creek, Fish Lake plays a crucial role in water resource management in Pondera County. With a low hazard potential and not yet rated for condition assessment, the dam ensures a reliable water supply for the surrounding area. Its proximity to the congressional district of Montana underlines its importance in sustaining the local ecosystem and agricultural activities, while also highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Although Fish Lake's specific risk assessment and emergency preparedness details are not provided in the data, its state-regulated status and compliance with inspection and enforcement regulations ensure its continued safe operation. With its strategic location and key role in irrigation, Fish Lake (Pondera) stands as a valuable resource for water management and climate resilience in Montana, embodying the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship.
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 Fish Lake (Pondera) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Badger Cr Bl Four Horns Canal Nr Browning Mt | 302 cfs | → |
| Two Medicine River Bl South Fork Nr Browning Mt | 561 cfs | → |
| Teton River Bl South Fork Nr Choteau Mt | 210 cfs | → |
| Cut Bank Creek Near Browning Mt | 60 cfs | → |
| North Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 665 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 674 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fish Lake (Pondera).
Campgrounds
- Swift Dam
- West Fork Cabin
- West Fork Teton Campground
- Elko Campground
- Cave Mountain
- Cave Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
- Spotted Bear Compound Day Use Site Fishing Site
- Almeda Lake
- Big Salmon Creek
- Big Salmon Lake
- Sun River Slope Canal
- Big Hawk Lake
Paddle runs
- Headwaters, Sec. 34, T28n, R11w To Swift Reservoir
- Pool Creek, Sec. 7, T28n, R12w To Falls, Sec. 25, T29n, R12w
- Schafer Meadows To Bear Creek (Upper)
- Bear Creek To Essex
- Fool Creek, Sec. 24, T25n, R11w To Wilderness Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To South Fork Sun River, Sec. 26, T22n, R10w
Track Fish Lake (Pondera) 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 Fish Lake (Pondera)
Where does the data for Fish Lake (Pondera) 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 Fish Lake (Pondera).