Lake Sherburne dam
Lake Sherburne
Lake Sherburne, located in Glacier County, Montana, is a picturesque reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this earth dam stands at a towering height of 109 feet and was completed in 1920. With a maximum storage capacity of 110,679 acre-feet and a normal storage of 67,854 acre-feet, Lake Sherburne covers an expansive surface area of 2,163 acres.
Despite its tranquil appearance, Lake Sherburne poses a high hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. The spillway, with a width of 96 feet, is uncontrolled, adding to the potential risks associated with the dam. Although last inspected in August 2020, the condition assessment of the dam is not available, raising concerns about its safety and maintenance protocols. While the dam has undergone modifications in 1982 for both hydraulic and structural improvements, the risk management measures for Lake Sherburne are not explicitly outlined in the data.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in the region will find Lake Sherburne a fascinating subject of study, given its historical significance in irrigation and the potential risks it poses as a high hazard dam. As a vital water source in the area, understanding the management and safety protocols of Lake Sherburne is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of water resources and the protection of surrounding communities. Further research and monitoring of this dam are essential to mitigate any potential risks and safeguard the ecosystem it supports in Glacier County, Montana.
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 Lake Sherburne -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Mary River Near Babb Mt | 1,180 cfs | → |
| St. Mary Canal At Intake Near Babb Mt | 54 cfs | → |
| Swiftcurrent Creek At Many Glacier Mt | 190 cfs | → |
| Swiftcurrent Cr Ab Swiftcurrent Lk At Many Glacier | 113 cfs | → |
| St. Mary Canal At St. Mary Crossing Near Babb Mt | 602 cfs | → |
| N F Milk River Ab St Mary Ca Nr Browning Mt | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Sherburne.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Poia Lake
- Chewing Backbones Campground
- Leaning Tree Cafe And Campground
- St. Mary Lake - Glacier National Park
- St Mary
- Slide Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Moccasin Creek To West Glacier (John Stevens Canyon)
- West Glacier To Blankenship Bridge
- Big Creek To Glacier Rim
- Polebridge To Big Creek
- Glacier Rim To Blankenship Bridge And Confluence
- Essex To Moccasin Creek
More reservoirs
Track Lake Sherburne 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 Lake Sherburne
Where does the data for Lake Sherburne 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 Lake Sherburne.