Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam

TR-BEAR CREEK· Fergus, Montana· Built 1950· Earth· 11 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.4% in MT)
Dam Length549 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage470 acre-ft
Normal Storage200 acre-ft
Surface Area59 acres
Drainage Area80 sq mi
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDMT03950

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

CHARLES W. OWEN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam?

Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam 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 Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam?

Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam is owned by CHARLES W. OWEN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam built?

Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam?

Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bear Creek Reservoir Center Dam?

Bear Creek Reservoir Center 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.