Como Dam Explained

Lake Como
Location:Ravalli County, Montana, United States
Coordinates:46.0545°N -114.261°W
Type:Reservoir
Inflow:Rock Creek, Little Rock Creek
Outflow:Rock Creek
Catchment:56.4sqmi
Basin Countries:United States
Length:3miles
Width:3200feet
Area:1.4mi2
Pushpin Map:Montana#USA
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of the lake in Montana.

Como Dam is a dam in Ravalli County, Montana, in the far western part of the state.

Como Dam was originally constructed by local farmers around 1910, to impound a natural lake for irrigation storage; the United States Bureau of Reclamation enhanced and stabilized that structure in 1954, in 1976, and in 1992-1993. The dam is high, with a length of at its crest. As part of the larger Bitter Root Project, the dam and reservoir are both owned by the local Bitter Root Project Irrigation District.

The reservoir it creates, Lake Como, has a water surface of and normal storage of . Recreation includes fishing, camping, and boating. The site is surrounded by the Bitterroot National Forest.

Concerns that the lack of an Early Warning System on the dam could lead to catastrophic loss of life in the Bitterroot Valley in the event of nighttime inundation led officials to take measures to ensure the safety of the dam in 2017.