Chicago Lake

DIFFUSED SURFACE WATER· Liberty, Montana· Built 1968· Earth· 15 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Chicago Lake is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 18.8% in MT)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage242 acre-ft
Normal Storage83 acre-ft
Max Discharge220 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDMT03466

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

BREED CREEK RANCH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chicago Lake?

Chicago Lake 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 Chicago Lake?

Chicago Lake is owned by BREED CREEK RANCH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chicago Lake built?

Chicago Lake was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Chicago Lake?

Chicago Lake 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 Chicago Lake?

Chicago Lake has a dam height of 15 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.