Barretts Diversion

BEAVERHEAD RIVER· Beaverhead, Montana· Built 1962· Concrete· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Barretts Diversion is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.4% in MT)
Dam Length1,720 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Drainage Area2,737 sq mi
Max Discharge2,500 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDMT04009

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 6, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Barretts Diversion?

Barretts Diversion is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Barretts Diversion?

Barretts Diversion is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Barretts Diversion built?

Barretts Diversion was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Barretts Diversion?

Barretts Diversion 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 Barretts Diversion?

Barretts Diversion 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.

When was Barretts Diversion last inspected?

Barretts Diversion was last inspected on October 6, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.