Cowan Reservoir

DUCK CREEK· Chouteau, Montana· Built 1936· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Cowan Reservoir is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 44.5% in MT)
Dam Length990 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage211 acre-ft
Normal Storage89 acre-ft
Max Discharge120 cfs
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
NID IDMT01574

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

COWAN & SON INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cowan Reservoir?

Cowan Reservoir 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 Cowan Reservoir?

Cowan Reservoir is owned by COWAN & SON INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cowan Reservoir built?

Cowan Reservoir was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Cowan Reservoir?

Cowan Reservoir 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 Cowan Reservoir?

Cowan Reservoir 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.