Mystic Lake dam
Mystic Lake
Mystic Lake, located in Fishtail, Montana, is a privately owned hydroelectric dam on West Rosebud Creek. Built in 1927, this arch dam stands at a height of 45 feet and has a storage capacity of 21,000 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreation, with a spillway width of 300 feet and a maximum discharge of 30,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Mystic Lake has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections. While the condition assessment is currently not available, the dam's emergency action plan meets guidelines and is updated periodically. The risk assessment for Mystic Lake is moderate, and risk management measures are in place to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
With its picturesque location and significant role in providing hydroelectric power, Mystic Lake is a key water resource in the Stillwater County area of Montana. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find this dam's history, design, and operational details fascinating, showcasing the intersection of human innovation and environmental stewardship in harnessing the power of water for multiple beneficial purposes.
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 Mystic Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Rosebud Creek Near Roscoe Mt | 77 cfs | → |
| Soda Butte Cr At Park Bndry At Silver Gate | 280 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Red Lodge Mt | 206 cfs | → |
| Red Lodge Cr Ab Cooney Re Nr Boyd Mt | 22 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Absarokee Mt | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Near Boyd Mt | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mystic Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Emerald Lake Campground
- East Rosebud Campground
- Jimmy Joe Campground
- Woodbine Campground
- Woodbine
- Colter Campground
Fishing spots
- West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access
- Emerald Lake Fishing Access
- Arch Lake
- East Rosebud Creek
- Chrome Lake
- Dude Lake
Paddle runs
- Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e
- Custer Forest Boundary, Sec. 1, T7s, S16e To Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary
- Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 9, T9s, R14e
- Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 25, T8s, R17e
- Custer Forest Boundary, Sec. 15, T5s, R15e To Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary
- Chief Joseph Cg, Sec. 28, T9s, R15e To Montana State Line, Sec. 34, T9s, R15e
Track Mystic Lake 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 Mystic Lake
Where does the data for Mystic Lake 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 High 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 Mystic Lake.