Middle Creek Lake (Cascade) dam
Middle Creek Lake (Cascade)
Middle Creek Lake in Cascade, Montana is a privately owned irrigation reservoir designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the DNRC. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 584 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 338 acre-feet. Situated along Middle Creek (E.F. Hound Creek), this reservoir serves the purpose of irrigation for agricultural needs in the area.
With a drainage area of 5.9 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 400 cubic feet per second, Middle Creek Lake plays a significant role in water resource management in the region. Its spillway width of 30 feet and hazard potential rated as significant highlight the importance of proper inspection and maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of the dam. While the condition assessment is currently listed as 'Not Rated', the presence of state oversight and enforcement mechanisms indicates a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the structure.
Located in the city of Great Falls, Middle Creek Lake offers a vital water source for agricultural activities in Cascade County, Montana. As a key component of the local irrigation system, this reservoir underscores the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the region. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, Middle Creek Lake continues to play a crucial role in supporting the agricultural economy and water security of the area.
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 Middle Creek Lake (Cascade) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Bl Hauser Lake Nr Helena Mt | 3,330 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Bl Holter Dam Nr Wolf Cr Mt | 3,350 cfs | → |
| Little Prickly Pear Cr At Wolf Cr Mt | 66 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Eden Mt | 332 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Cascade Mt | 3,770 cfs | → |
| Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Middle Creek Lake (Cascade).
Boat launches
- Log Gulch Boat Ramp
- Holter Lake Boat Ramp
- Beartooth Road Lewis And Clark County
- Holter Dam Boat Ramp
- White Sandy Boat Ramp
- Hauser Dam Road Helena Valley Northeast
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Hound Creek
- Rock Creek (Smith Drainage)
- Missouri River Fishing Access Site
- Prickly Pear Creek
- Dearborn River
- Hauser Reservoir
Track Middle Creek Lake (Cascade) 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 Middle Creek Lake (Cascade)
Where does the data for Middle Creek Lake (Cascade) 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 Middle Creek Lake (Cascade).