Anchor South Dam

TR-BIRCH CREEK· Beaverhead, Montana· Built 1904· Earth· 11 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Anchor South Dam is classified as high hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1904 and is 122 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.4% in MT)
Dam Length113 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage510 acre-ft
Normal Storage206 acre-ft
Surface Area34 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge194 cfs
Year Completed1904 (122 years old)
NID IDMT00821

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

BEAVERHEAD WATER CO

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Anchor South Dam?

Anchor South Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Anchor South Dam?

Anchor South Dam is owned by BEAVERHEAD WATER CO (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Anchor South Dam built?

Anchor South Dam was completed in 1904, making it 122 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Anchor South Dam?

Anchor South Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Anchor South Dam?

Anchor South Dam has a dam height of 11 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.