Birkeland Reservoir

BIRD COULEE· Chouteau, Montana· Built 1950· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Birkeland Reservoir is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 82.7% in MT)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage156 acre-ft
Normal Storage46 acre-ft
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge130 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDMT03354

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

BIRKELAND & SON INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Birkeland Reservoir?

Birkeland Reservoir 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 Birkeland Reservoir?

Birkeland Reservoir is owned by BIRKELAND & SON INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Birkeland Reservoir built?

Birkeland Reservoir 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 Birkeland Reservoir?

Birkeland Reservoir serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Birkeland Reservoir?

Birkeland Reservoir has a dam height of 30 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.