Ruff Creek Retention Dam

PRAIRE ELK CK./MISSOURI RIVER· McCone, Montana· Built 2003· Gravity·
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Ruff Creek Retention Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 2003 and is 23 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Length715 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage87 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Year Completed2003 (23 years old)
NID IDMT00649

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: July 24, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

DOI BLM

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ruff Creek Retention Dam?

Ruff Creek Retention 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 Ruff Creek Retention Dam?

Ruff Creek Retention Dam is owned by DOI BLM (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ruff Creek Retention Dam built?

Ruff Creek Retention Dam was completed in 2003, making it 23 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 Ruff Creek Retention Dam?

Ruff Creek Retention Dam 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.

When was Ruff Creek Retention Dam last inspected?

Ruff Creek Retention Dam was last inspected on July 24, 2019. 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.