Gipsy Lake Dam

GIPSY CR· Meagher, Montana· Built 1872· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Gipsy Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1872 and is 154 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 2.9% in MT)
Dam Length206 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage51 acre-ft
Normal Storage34 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Year Completed1872 (154 years old)
NID IDMT03995

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
Last Inspection: July 7, 2016
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gipsy Lake Dam?

Gipsy Lake 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 Gipsy Lake Dam?

Gipsy Lake Dam is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Gipsy Lake Dam built?

Gipsy Lake Dam was completed in 1872, making it 154 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 Gipsy Lake Dam?

Gipsy Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Gipsy Lake Dam?

Gipsy Lake Dam has a dam height of 9 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.

When was Gipsy Lake Dam last inspected?

Gipsy Lake Dam was last inspected on July 7, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.