Reservoir Lake dam
Reservoir Lake
Reservoir Lake in Montana, managed by the USDA Forest Service, is a picturesque Earth dam structure completed in 1920 for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 355 acre-feet. Situated in Beaverhead County near Dillon, the reservoir is fed by the Bloody Dick Creek and covers an area of 40 acres. The dam stands at 9 feet high and has a spillway width of 4 feet, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
This tranquil reservoir, nestled in the stunning Montana wilderness, offers opportunities for fishing, wildlife observation, and water-based recreation, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With its uncontrolled outlet gates and a maximum discharge capacity of 218 cubic feet per second, Reservoir Lake provides a peaceful retreat in a remote setting. Despite its age, this dam remains in good condition, with a moderate risk rating, making it a safe and enjoyable destination for visitors seeking a serene escape in the heart of nature.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Reservoir Lake serves as both a recreational haven and a valuable water management asset. The Forest Service's oversight ensures the safety and maintenance of the dam, contributing to the sustainable use of water resources in the region. As a vital part of the local ecosystem and a scenic spot for outdoor activities, Reservoir Lake represents the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and natural preservation in the beautiful landscape of 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 Reservoir Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Hole River Near Jackson Mt | 25 cfs | → |
| Lemhi River Nr Lemhi Id | 135 cfs | → |
| Lemhi River Below L5 Diversion Near Salmon | 42 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Salmon Id | 2,890 cfs | → |
| Napias Creek Below Arnett Creek Near Leesburg | 63 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River At Barretts Mt | 515 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reservoir Lake.
Boat launches
- Us 93 East Salmon
- Us 93 West Salmon
- Us 93 Lemhi County
- Elevenmile Day Use Area
- Diamond Creek Road Lemhi County
Campgrounds
- Reservoir Lake Campground And Picnic Area
- Reservoir Lake
- Reservoir Lake Campground
- Bloody Dick Cabin
- South Van Houten Campground
- Van Houten
Fishing spots
Track Reservoir 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 Reservoir Lake
Where does the data for Reservoir 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 Low 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 Reservoir Lake.