Buffalo

TR-BUFFALO COULEE· Valley, Montana· Built 1910· Earth· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Buffalo is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 42.9% in MT)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage87 acre-ft
Normal Storage25 acre-ft
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge875 cfs
Year Completed1910 (116 years old)
NID IDMT02691

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

TERRY MONTFORT

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Buffalo?

Buffalo 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 Buffalo?

Buffalo is owned by TERRY MONTFORT (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Buffalo built?

Buffalo was completed in 1910, making it 116 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 Buffalo?

Buffalo 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 Buffalo?

Buffalo has a dam height of 19 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.