Howard Coulee #1

TR-HOWARD COULEE· Petroleum, Montana· Built 1939· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Howard Coulee #1 is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 70.3% in MT)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage70 acre-ft
Normal Storage42 acre-ft
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge125 cfs
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDMT02157

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

MUSSELSHELL RANCH CO.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Howard Coulee #1?

Howard Coulee #1 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 Howard Coulee #1?

Howard Coulee #1 is owned by MUSSELSHELL RANCH CO. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Howard Coulee #1 built?

Howard Coulee #1 was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Howard Coulee #1?

Howard Coulee #1 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 Howard Coulee #1?

Howard Coulee #1 has a dam height of 25 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.