Petersen Dam

Sheridan, Montana· Built 1939· Earth· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Petersen Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 15.6% in MT)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage150 acre-ft
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDMT03850

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: December 19, 2002
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

UNKNOWN

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Petersen Dam?

Petersen 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 Petersen Dam?

Petersen Dam is owned by UNKNOWN (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Petersen Dam built?

Petersen Dam 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.

How tall is Petersen Dam?

Petersen Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Petersen Dam last inspected?

Petersen Dam was last inspected on December 19, 2002. 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.