Snortland Dam

TR-SOUTH PONDERA COULEE· Pondera, Montana· Built 1940· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Snortland Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 44.5% in MT)
Dam Length310 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage72 acre-ft
Normal Storage37 acre-ft
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDMT00887

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

SELMER SNORTLAND

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Snortland Dam?

Snortland 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 Snortland Dam?

Snortland Dam is owned by SELMER SNORTLAND (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Snortland Dam built?

Snortland Dam was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Snortland Dam?

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

How tall is Snortland Dam?

Snortland Dam has a dam height of 20 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.

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.