Newlan Creek Dam

NEWLAN CREEK· Meagher, Montana· Built 1977· Earth· 112 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Newlan Creek Dam is classified as high hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 112 ft (taller than 99.4% in MT)
Dam Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage15.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage12.2K acre-ft
Surface Area317 acres
Drainage Area43 sq mi
Max Discharge4,260 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDMT01596

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: June 17, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

NEWLAN CREEK WATER DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Newlan Creek Dam?

Newlan 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 Newlan Creek Dam?

Newlan Creek Dam is owned by NEWLAN CREEK WATER DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Newlan Creek Dam built?

Newlan Creek Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Newlan Creek Dam?

Newlan 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 Newlan Creek Dam?

Newlan Creek Dam has a dam height of 112 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 Newlan Creek Dam last inspected?

Newlan Creek Dam was last inspected on June 17, 2021. 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.