Rock Creek Lake dam
Rock Creek Lake
Rock Creek Lake is a private water supply reservoir located in Garrison, Montana. Built in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 2552 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Rock Creek Lake is water supply, serving as a vital resource for the local community in Powell County.
With a significant hazard potential, Rock Creek Lake is regulated by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Despite not having a current condition assessment, the dam is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The reservoir's location on Rock Creek, within the Seattle District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, highlights its importance in managing water resources and mitigating climate-related risks in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rock Creek Lake serves as a key infrastructure for water supply and management in Montana. Its history, design, and regulatory oversight provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustaining vital water resources in a changing climate. As a significant reservoir with a crucial role in the local community, Rock Creek Lake exemplifies the importance of proactive management and investment in resilient water infrastructure.
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 Rock Creek Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Blackfoot River Near Garrison Mt | 144 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Deer Lodge Mt | 114 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Goldcreek Mt | 355 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Maxville Mt | 106 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek At Maxville Mt | 41 cfs | → |
| Lost Creek Near Galen | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Creek Lake.
Campgrounds
- Douglas Creek Cabin
- Racetrack
- Racetrack Cabin
- Racetrack Campground And Picnic Area
- Lost Creek State Park
- Lst Creek Campground
Fishing spots
- Boulder Creek
- Stewart Lake Picnic Area
- Red Bridge Fishing Access
- Badger Bay Fishing Access
- Sunnyside Fishing Access
- Comers Point Fishing Access
Track Rock Creek 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 Rock Creek Lake
Where does the data for Rock Creek 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 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 Rock Creek Lake.