Scott Coulee Dam

SCOTT COULEE· Hill, Montana· Built 1955· Earth· 58 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Scott Coulee Dam is classified as high hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 58 ft (taller than 97.5% in MT)
Dam Length1,700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.3K acre-ft
Max Discharge377 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDMT00103

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: August 19, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

CITY OF HAVRE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Scott Coulee Dam?

Scott Coulee 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 Scott Coulee Dam?

Scott Coulee Dam is owned by CITY OF HAVRE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Scott Coulee Dam built?

Scott Coulee Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Scott Coulee Dam?

Scott Coulee Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Scott Coulee Dam?

Scott Coulee Dam has a dam height of 58 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 Scott Coulee Dam last inspected?

Scott Coulee Dam was last inspected on August 19, 2020. 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.