Cooney Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cooney Reservoir |
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 Cooney Reservoir
Location in Montana
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| Location | Carbon County, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45°26′38″N 109°13′19″W / 45.44389°N 109.22194°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Red Lodge Creek, Willow Creek, Chapman Creek |
| Primary outflows | Red Lodge Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) |
| Max. width | 1.1 miles (1.8 km) |
| Surface area | 1,078 acres (436 ha) |
| Water volume | 28,230 acre-feet (34,820,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 4,222 feet (1,287 m) |
Cooney Reservoir is a popular lake in Carbon County, Montana. It was created by a structure called Cooney Dam. This reservoir is a great place for outdoor activities. It also helps local farms by storing water for their crops.
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About Cooney Reservoir
Cooney Dam was built in 1937. It is located in Carbon County, Montana. The dam holds back water to form Cooney Reservoir. The dam itself is made mostly of earth and rocks. It stands about 97 feet tall. The top of the dam stretches for 2,260 feet.
Why Was It Built?
The main purpose of Cooney Dam is to store water. It collects water from Red Lodge Creek. This stored water is then used for irrigation. Irrigation means supplying water to farmland. This helps crops grow, especially in dry areas. The dam and reservoir are managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. This is a state group that looks after Montana's natural resources.
Size of the Reservoir
Cooney Reservoir is quite large. Its normal water surface covers about 1.3 square miles. It can hold a lot of water. The reservoir's maximum storage capacity is 24,195 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. Its normal capacity is 14,000 acre-feet.
Fun at Cooney Reservoir
Cooney Reservoir is a favorite spot for many outdoor activities. People come here to have fun and enjoy nature.
Activities to Enjoy
- Boating: The large open water is perfect for different kinds of boats.
- Camping: There are places nearby where you can set up a tent or park an RV.
- Hiking: Trails around the reservoir offer great views and chances to explore.
- Fishing: Anglers love fishing here. You can often catch walleye and rainbow trout.
The state of Montana also maintains Cooney State Park right next to the reservoir. This park provides even more ways to enjoy the area.
