Lacosta Sand Creek Dam

SAND CREEK· Garfield, Montana· Built 1969· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Lacosta Sand Creek Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 44.5% in MT)
Dam Length1,320 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage483 acre-ft
Normal Storage175 acre-ft
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDMT02260

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

LACOSTA LIVESTOCK CO

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lacosta Sand Creek Dam?

Lacosta Sand Creek 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 Lacosta Sand Creek Dam?

Lacosta Sand Creek Dam is owned by LACOSTA LIVESTOCK CO (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lacosta Sand Creek Dam built?

Lacosta Sand Creek Dam was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Lacosta Sand Creek Dam?

Lacosta Sand Creek Dam 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 Lacosta Sand Creek Dam?

Lacosta Sand Creek Dam 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.