Little Bitterroot dam
Little Bitterroot
Little Bitterroot is a Federal irrigation dam located in Flathead, Montana, along the Little Bitterroot River. Built in 1917 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this Earth dam stands at a structural height of 17 feet and spans 800 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 26,400 acre-feet, it serves the primary purpose of irrigation in the region. Despite its age, Little Bitterroot remains a crucial water resource for the community.
While the dam is categorized as having a high hazard potential, its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Available." Regular inspections are conducted every five years, with the last one taking place in April 2011. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was last revised in March 2015, indicating a proactive approach to risk management. Overall, Little Bitterroot poses a very high risk level, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality for the surrounding area.
In terms of regulatory oversight, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is responsible for the design, construction, operations, and inspections of Little Bitterroot. With its controlled spillway and strategic location within the Seattle District, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and agricultural activities in the region. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate alike can appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of Little Bitterroot in sustaining the local ecosystem and economy.
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 Little Bitterroot -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Cr Ab Bassoo Cr Nr Niarada Mt | 2 cfs | → |
| Flathead River At Columbia Falls Mt | 30,400 cfs | → |
| Swan River Near Bigfork Mt | 3,940 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Libby Mt | 714 cfs | → |
| Flathead River Near Polson Mt | 30,200 cfs | → |
| S F Flathead River Nr Columbia Falls Mt | 8,190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Bitterroot.
Boat launches
- North Ashley Lake Road Flathead County
- Logan State Park Montana
- Lake County
- Flathead County
- Us 93 7198, Flathead County
- Elmo Fishing Access
Campgrounds
- Ashley Lake North Campground
- Ashley Lake North
- Ashley Lake South Campground
- Mcgregor Lake Campground
- Mcgregor Lake
- Island Lake Fas
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Vermilion River
- Glacier Rim To Blankenship Bridge And Confluence
- Junction Of The Fisher River (Three Miles Sownstream Of Libby Dam) To Tub Gulch, Approximately Four Miles Upstream From The Town Of Libby, Montana
- Willow Creek, Sec. 32, T24n, R29w To Noxon Reservoir, Sec. 14, T24n, R31w
- Big Creek To Glacier Rim
- West Glacier To Blankenship Bridge
Track Little Bitterroot 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 Little Bitterroot
Where does the data for Little Bitterroot 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 Little Bitterroot.