Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins

OFFSTREAM· Missoula, Montana· Built 2003· Earth· 8 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins is classified as high hazard in Montana. It was completed in 2003 and is 23 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 8 ft (taller than 0.5% in MT)
Dam Length5,520 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage116 acre-ft
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge75 cfs
Year Completed2003 (23 years old)
NID IDMT03856

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: November 21, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNRC

Ownership

CITY OF MISSOULA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins?

Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins 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 Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins?

Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins is owned by CITY OF MISSOULA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins built?

Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins 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 Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins?

Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins 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 Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins?

Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins has a dam height of 8 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 Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins last inspected?

Spartan/Playfair Park Retention Basins was last inspected on November 21, 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.