Okaga Lake dam
Okaga Lake
Okaga Lake, located in Yaak, Montana, is a private water resource managed by the DNRC. This Earth dam was completed in 1950 and serves multiple purposes, including fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. With a height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 843 acre-feet, Okaga Lake provides vital water resources for the surrounding area.
Although the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, it is regulated by the state of Montana and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. The lake's primary purpose for fire protection highlights its significance in the region's ecosystem and its importance for mitigating the risk of wildfires. Despite its age, Okaga Lake continues to play a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in Lincoln County.
With its tranquil waters and vital role in fire protection and stock maintenance, Okaga Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As climate enthusiasts, the data on Okaga Lake serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water practices and the need to protect and preserve vital water sources 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 Okaga Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River Near Eureka Mt | 388 cfs | → |
| Moyie River At Eastport Id | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River At Leonia Id | 13,900 cfs | → |
| Yaak River Near Troy Mt | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River Bel Moyie River Nr Bonners Ferry Id | 15,600 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River @ Tribal Hatchery Nr Bonners Ferry | 15,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Okaga Lake.
Boat launches
- Peck Gulch Road Lincoln County
- Sophie Lake Road Lincoln County
- Rocky Gorge Road Lincoln County
- National Forest Development Road 2394 Lincoln County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Okaga 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 Okaga Lake
Where does the data for Okaga 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 Okaga Lake.