North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir dam
North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir
North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir, located in Carbon County, Montana, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1920 for the primary purpose of water supply. The reservoir has a dam height of 18 feet and a storage capacity of 98 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 46 acre-feet. It is situated on the North Fork Dry Creek, in close proximity to the city of Golden, and is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
This reservoir plays a crucial role in ensuring water supply for the surrounding area, with a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated. The dam structure has not been modified in recent years and has not undergone any recent inspections. While the emergency action plan status and risk assessment for the reservoir are currently unknown, the reservoir continues to provide essential water resources for the region.
North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir serves as a vital water storage facility in the region, maintaining a stable water supply for local communities. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate-related topics would find this reservoir's historical significance and operational details intriguing, as it continues to support the water needs of the area despite its age and lack of recent maintenance or inspections.
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 North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Creek Near Red Lodge Mt | 303 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Near Boyd Mt | 37 cfs | → |
| Red Lodge Cr Ab Cooney Re Nr Boyd Mt | 56 cfs | → |
| Clarks Fork Yellowstone River Nr Belfry Mt | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Clarks Fork Yellowstone River At Edgar Mt | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Absarokee Mt | 1,540 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir
Where does the data for North Fork Red Lodge Reservoir 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 below 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.
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.