Coal Dam

COAL SLACK COULEE· Garfield, Montana· Built 1960· Earth· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Coal Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 44.5% in MT)
Dam Length150 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage64 acre-ft
Normal Storage39 acre-ft
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDMT02208

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

BURGESS RANCH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Coal Dam?

Coal Dam 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 Coal Dam?

Coal Dam is owned by BURGESS RANCH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Coal Dam built?

Coal Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Coal Dam?

Coal Dam 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 Coal Dam?

Coal Dam has a dam height of 20 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.