Cottonwood

TR-LITTLE CROOKED CREEK· Fergus, Montana· Built 1964· Earth· 38 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Cottonwood is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 94.3% in MT)
Dam Length433 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage31 acre-ft
Normal Storage22 acre-ft
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDMT02590

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

WILLIAM J. CLARK ET AL

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cottonwood?

Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood?

Cottonwood is owned by WILLIAM J. CLARK ET AL (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cottonwood built?

Cottonwood was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Cottonwood?

Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood?

Cottonwood has a dam height of 38 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.