Three Forks

WILDCAT COULEE· Rosebud, Montana· Built 1953· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Three Forks is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 34.9% in MT)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage285 acre-ft
Normal Storage143 acre-ft
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,000 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDMT01451

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

A SCHIFFER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Three Forks?

Three Forks 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 Three Forks?

Three Forks is owned by A SCHIFFER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Three Forks built?

Three Forks was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Three Forks?

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

How tall is Three Forks?

Three Forks has a dam height of 17 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.