Sanders Lake Dam #1 dam
Sanders Lake Dam #1
Sanders Lake Dam #1, located in Missoula, Montana, was completed in 1913 and serves as a vital water supply resource for the local community. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 10 feet with a hydraulic height of 4 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 897 acre-feet. The dam spans 270 feet in length and covers a surface area of 43 acres, drawing water from the TR-WRANGLE CREEK.
Despite its age, Sanders Lake Dam #1 is state-regulated, inspected, and permitted by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk level assessed. The spillway is uncontrolled, with a width of 10 feet, and the outlet gates are also uncontrolled.
While the condition of Sanders Lake Dam #1 is currently not rated, its importance in providing water supply to the region cannot be understated. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Sanders Lake Dam #1 will be crucial in ensuring the resilience of our water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Sanders Lake Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Jocko River Near Arlee Mt | 209 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 6,270 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot River Near Bonner Mt | 4,140 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 11,400 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 5,390 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 2,070 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanders Lake Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Mt 200 10495, Missoula County
- Johnsrud Boat Launch
- Whitaker Boat Launch
- Whitaker Bridge Day Use
- Southside Road Missoula County
- South Holland Lake Road 232, 59826 Montana
Campgrounds
- Missoula Koa
- Johnsrud Park Fas
- Thibodeau Campground
- Thibodeau Fas
- Hidden Lake Campground
- Corricks River Bend Fas
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Wrangle Creek Headwaters, Sec. 18, T15n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 21, T15n, R18w
- Lake Creek Headwaters, Sec. 30, T15n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 21, T15n, R18w
- High Falls Creek Headwaters, Sec. 5, T14n, R18w To Mainstem, Sec. 2, T14n, R18w
- East Fork Headwaters, Sec. 8, T14n, R17w To Mainstem, Sec. 14, T14n, R18w
- Spring Gulch Headwaters, Sec. 12, T14n, R19w To Mainstem, Sec. 35, T14n, R19w
- Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 4, T15n, R18w To Boundary, Sec. 2, T13n, R18w
Track Sanders Lake Dam #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 Sanders Lake Dam #1
Where does the data for Sanders Lake Dam #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 Significant 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 Sanders Lake Dam #1.