Mussigbrod Lake Dam dam
Mussigbrod Lake Dam
Mussigbrod Lake Dam, located in Melrose, Montana, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a hydraulic height of 8 feet, with a length of 530 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 3,350 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 824 acre-feet, serving the Mussigbrod Creek watershed.
This significant dam has a spillway width of 37 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type. With a hazard potential rated as significant and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," it is crucial for the dam owners and regulatory agencies to ensure regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential risks. While the dam is not under the jurisdiction of the USACE, it is subject to state regulations and inspections by the DNRC in Montana.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by the engineering and management aspects of Mussigbrod Lake Dam, as it plays a vital role in supporting agricultural irrigation in the region. The dam's moderate risk assessment underscores the importance of proactive risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding communities and natural habitats. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide essential water storage and management functions for the benefit of local stakeholders and ecosystems.
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 Mussigbrod Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Hole River Bl Big Lake Cr At Wisdom Mt | 39 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Bl Mudd Cr Nr Wisdom Mt | 742 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Wise River Mt | 112 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Rock Cr Nr Philipsburg Mt | 262 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Darby Mt | 1,910 cfs | → |
| West Fork Bitterroot River Nr Conner Mt | 641 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mussigbrod Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Pintler Creek Boat Ramp
- Sawlog Creek
- East Bank Boat Ramp
- Dickie Bridge Boat Ramp
- Rocky Mountain Road Ravalli County
- Applebury Boating Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Big Lake Creek
- Baldy Lake
- Comers Point Fishing Access
- Sunnyside Fishing Access
- Badger Bay Fishing Access
- Black Lion Lake
Paddle runs
- Pattengail Ck. Sec. 11, T2s, R12w To Jaccobsen & Mono Cks, Sec. 33, T3s, R12w
- Nez Perce Fork Bitterroot River, Sec. 26, T1s, R22w To Painted Rocks Dam, Sec. 26, T1s, R22w
- Proposed Torrey Peak Wilderness To Proposed Torrey Peak Wilderness
- Nf Boundary At 4th Of July Creek To Confluence With North Fork
- Rock Creek
Track Mussigbrod 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 Mussigbrod Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mussigbrod 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 Significant 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 Mussigbrod Lake Dam.