Swartz Lake Dam dam
Swartz Lake Dam
Swartz Lake Dam in Lake, Montana, is a private dam constructed in 1960 for irrigation purposes on Crow Creek. With a height of 10 feet and a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, this earth dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. Situated in a low hazard potential zone, the dam has not been rated for its condition but is regularly inspected, enforced, and permitted by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Owned and operated by a private entity, Swartz Lake Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for maintaining water supply for agricultural irrigation in the region. Despite its modest size with a surface area of 15 acres, the dam serves as a reliable resource for storing water and ensuring the sustainability of farming activities. Located in a picturesque setting with a latitude of 47.50094164 and a longitude of -113.99815346, the dam contributes to the overall water management system of the area.
As a significant component of the water infrastructure in Montana, Swartz Lake Dam highlights the importance of private ownership in water resource management. With its historical significance dating back to the 1960s, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of irrigation while adhering to state regulations and inspection protocols. Positioned in a serene location with a low hazard potential, Swartz Lake Dam exemplifies the harmonious balance between water conservation, agricultural needs, and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Swartz Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Crow Creek Near Ronan Mt | 9 cfs | → |
| Mission Cr Ab Reservoir Nr St Ignatius Mt | 68 cfs | → |
| Flathead River Near Polson Mt | 24,700 cfs | → |
| South Fork Jocko River Near Arlee Mt | 191 cfs | → |
| Flathead River At Perma Mt | 25,400 cfs | → |
| Swan River Near Bigfork Mt | 2,100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swartz Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- North Crow Creek
- Lindbergh Lake Campground
- Lindbergh Lake
- Old Condon Ranger Station
- Van Lake Campground And Day Use
- Finley Point State Park
Fishing spots
- Blacktail Lake
- Lake Alva
- Big Salmon Lake
- Big Salmon Creek
- Spotted Bear Compound Day Use Site Fishing Site
- Deep Creek Fishing Access
Paddle runs
- Headwaters, Sec. 7, T18n, R14w To Morrell Falls, Sec. 24, T18n, R15w
- Headwaters, Sec. 17, T19n, R15w To Seeley Lake, Sec. 20, T17n, R15w
- Morrell Falls, Sec. 24, T18n, R15w To Morrell Falls Trailhead, Sec. 36, T18n, R15w
- 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
More reservoirs
Track Swartz Lake Dam 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 Swartz Lake Dam
Where does the data for Swartz Lake Dam 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 Swartz Lake Dam.