Sparrow Slough Dam

SPARROW SLOUGH· Beaverhead, Montana· Built 1985· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Sparrow Slough Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1985 and is 41 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.4% in MT)
Dam Length1,690 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage378 acre-ft
Normal Storage225 acre-ft
Surface Area68 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge34 cfs
Year Completed1985 (41 years old)
NID IDMT03825

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: August 28, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sparrow Slough Dam?

Sparrow Slough 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 Sparrow Slough Dam?

Sparrow Slough Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sparrow Slough Dam built?

Sparrow Slough Dam was completed in 1985, making it 41 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 Sparrow Slough Dam?

Sparrow Slough Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sparrow Slough Dam?

Sparrow Slough Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Sparrow Slough Dam last inspected?

Sparrow Slough Dam was last inspected on August 28, 2018. 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.