Chicken

TR-TAFFY CREEK· Fergus, Montana· Built 1948· Earth· 18 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Chicken is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 36.9% in MT)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage289 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDMT02707

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

HERBERT W SCHEIFLER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chicken?

Chicken 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 Chicken?

Chicken is owned by HERBERT W SCHEIFLER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chicken built?

Chicken was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Chicken?

Chicken 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 Chicken?

Chicken has a dam height of 18 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.