Benson

HOFFMAN GULCH· Beaverhead, Montana· Built 1952· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Benson is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 92.6% in MT)
Dam Length150 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage107 acre-ft
Normal Storage30 acre-ft
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge260 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDMT00036

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

RONALD A BENSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Benson?

Benson 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 Benson?

Benson is owned by RONALD A BENSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Benson built?

Benson was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Benson?

Benson 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 Benson?

Benson has a dam height of 35 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.