Bowman Lake 1 dam
Bowman Lake 1
Bowman Lake 1 is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Deer Lodge, Montana, along the Tr- Racetrack Creek. Built in 1958 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a hydraulic height of 19 feet. With a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet, this dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation in the area. Despite its age, Bowman Lake 1 has a low hazard potential and its condition assessment is currently not available.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bowman Lake 1 plays a crucial role in water resource management in Powell County. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 75 cubic feet per second and a normal storage level of 42 acre-feet. While the dam does not have a spillway and its surface area and drainage area are not specified, it continues to provide essential water supply for agricultural activities in the region. The dam is also under the regulation of the Forest Service and undergoes inspections periodically to ensure its safety and functionality.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bowman Lake 1 offers a fascinating glimpse into the infrastructure that sustains agricultural practices in rural Montana. With its simple yet effective design, this dam is a testament to the importance of irrigation in arid regions. As efforts to manage water resources become increasingly critical in the face of climate change, understanding the role of structures like Bowman Lake 1 is key to ensuring sustainable water use for future generations.
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 Bowman Lake 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Creek Near Galen | 6 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs Creek Near Anaconda Mt | 101 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Galen Mt | 147 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Southern Cross Mt | 31 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 90 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Deer Lodge Mt | 154 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bowman Lake 1.
Campgrounds
- Racetrack Cabin
- Racetrack Campground And Picnic Area
- Racetrack
- Lost Creek State Park
- Lst Creek Campground
- Warm Springs
Track Bowman Lake 1 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 Bowman Lake 1
Where does the data for Bowman Lake 1 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 Bowman Lake 1.