There are at least 266 named lakes and reservoirs in Valley County, Montana .
A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land, apart from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are also larger and deeper than ponds, though there are no official or scientific definitions. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams, which are usually flowing. Most lakes are fed and drained by rivers and streams.
A reservoir is, most commonly, an enlarged natural or artificial lake, pond or impoundment created using a dam or lock to store water.
Valley County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. Valley County was created in 1893 with area partitioned from Dawson County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 7,369. Its county seat is Glasgow. It is located on the Canada–United States border with Saskatchewan.
Lake Elbert is a circular lake with a circular cove on its southwest side. The Polk County Water Atlas says it is sometimes known as Little Elbert, but no other sources have used this name. Lake Elbert is a natural freshwater lake with a 172-acre (700,000 m2) surface area. It has ten to twelve mostly very small islands, all near shore. The largest, on the south side, is about 150 feet (46 m) long and about 75 feet (23 m) wide. It is entirely surrounded by Lake Elbert Drive. On the south side of the lake, Lake Elbert Drive is a major thoroughfare linking up on the southwest with Central Avenue and on the southeast with Dundee Road. Across the street from the lake is mostly residential housing. A small section on the southwest has two medical offices and on the northwest the lake adjoins Polk State College.
Dodge Reservoir, located in Lassen County, was created in 1937 by the owners of the Dodge Ranch. It covers an area of 491 acres (199 ha) among Great Basin high-desert sagebrush and California Juniper. The surrounding habitat is Sagebrush steppe, and is part of the Northern Basin and Range ecoregion. The Dodge Ranch continues to hold the title to the water rights of the reservoir.
Fort Peck Lake, or Lake Fort Peck, is a major reservoir in Montana, formed by the Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River. The lake lies in the eastern prairie region of Montana approximately 140 miles (230 km) east of Great Falls and 120 miles (190 km) north of Billings, reaching into portions of six counties.