Miller Lake (Powell) dam
Miller Lake (Powell)
Miller Lake (Powell) is a privately owned irrigation reservoir located in Drummond, Montana. Built in 1962, this earth dam structure stands at 25 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 196 acre-feet. The reservoir primarily serves the purpose of irrigation, with a normal storage level of 62 acre-feet. Situated on Hoover Creek, Miller Lake plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Although not rated for condition assessment, the dam has a low hazard potential and is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). With a maximum discharge capacity of 600 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the local community. Despite its age, Miller Lake continues to play a key role in water management and sustainable agriculture practices in Powell County.
With its picturesque location and important role in irrigation, Miller Lake (Powell) stands as a testament to the enduring importance of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions. As enthusiasts of water resource management and climate sustainability, this reservoir serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of human activity and environmental stewardship in the rural landscapes 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 Miller Lake (Powell) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Fork At Goldcreek Mt | 380 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Drummond Mt | 11 cfs | → |
| Nevada Cr Ab Reservoir | 27 cfs | → |
| Little Blackfoot River Near Garrison Mt | 153 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot R Ab Nevada Cr Nr Helmville Mt | 765 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Drummond Mt | 554 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miller Lake (Powell).
Campgrounds
- Drummond City Park
- Douglas Creek Cabin
- Moose Creek Campground (Free)
- Browns Lake Fas
- Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed
- Harry Morgan Fas
Track Miller Lake (Powell) 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 Miller Lake (Powell)
Where does the data for Miller Lake (Powell) 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 Miller Lake (Powell).