Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula)

FISH CREEK· Missoula, Montana· Earth· 7 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) is classified as significant hazard in Montana. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.1% in MT)
Dam Length180 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage446 acre-ft
Normal Storage446 acre-ft
Surface Area95 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
NID IDMT03838

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

BIG SKY LAKE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula)?

Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula)?

Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) is owned by BIG SKY LAKE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula)?

Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula)?

Big Sky Lake Dam (Missoula) has a dam height of 7 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.