Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam

LITTLE SLEEPING CHILD CREEK· Ravalli, Montana· Built 1927· Earth· 35 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam is classified as high hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 92.6% in MT)
Dam Length350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage73 acre-ft
Normal Storage59 acre-ft
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Max Discharge800 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
Year Modified2003
NID IDMT03858

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 27, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

WAYNE KELLY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam?

Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam?

Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam is owned by WAYNE KELLY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam built?

Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam?

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

How tall is Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam?

Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam last inspected?

Little Sleeping Child Creek Dam was last inspected on November 27, 2023. 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.