Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) dam
Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula)
Big Sky Lake Dam, also known as Fish Lake, is a private dam located in Missoula, Montana, with a primary purpose of recreation. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 5 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 446 acre-feet. The dam spans 180 feet in length and covers a surface area of 94.8 acres, impacting the drainage area of Fish Creek.
Situated in a picturesque location in Bonner, Montana, Big Sky Lake Dam presents a significant hazard potential, although its condition has not been officially rated. Despite being under state regulation and inspection, the dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment measures remain unspecified. With its close proximity to a recreational area, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and climate activists interested in water resource management and conservation efforts in the region.
While lacking certain critical information like the year of completion and last inspection date, Big Sky Lake Dam's presence in the Missoula County presents an opportunity for further research and advocacy for sustainable dam infrastructure and risk management practices. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the dam's impact on Fish Creek and surrounding ecosystems, there is a growing need for increased awareness and proactive measures to ensure the safety and long-term sustainability of this recreational water feature.
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 Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Blackfoot R Ab Dry Gulch Nr Ovando Mt | 824 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot R Ab Nevada Cr Nr Helmville Mt | 765 cfs | → |
| South Fork Jocko River Near Arlee Mt | 194 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot River Near Bonner Mt | 3,140 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Drummond Mt | 554 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 1,620 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula).
Boat launches
- Whitaker Bridge Day Use
- Whitaker Boat Launch
- Johnsrud Boat Launch
- South Holland Lake Road 232, 59826 Montana
- Mt 200 10495, Missoula County
Campgrounds
- Salmon Lake State Park
- Placid Lake State Park
- Harpers Lake Fas
- Harpers Lake
- Russell Gates Memorial Fas
- Big Larch Campground
Fishing spots
Track Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) 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 Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula)
Where does the data for Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) 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 Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula).