Dodson Diversion

MILK RIVER· Phillips, Montana· Built 1909· Concrete· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Dodson Diversion is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 77.8% in MT)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage450 acre-ft
Surface Area200 acres
Drainage Area6,100 sq mi
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)
NID IDMT00583

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: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dodson Diversion?

Dodson Diversion 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 Dodson Diversion?

Dodson Diversion is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dodson Diversion built?

Dodson Diversion was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Dodson Diversion?

Dodson Diversion 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 Dodson Diversion?

Dodson Diversion has a dam height of 26 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.