Upper Dry Fork

DRY FORK· Sanders, Montana· Built 1940· Earth·
High Hazard Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Dry Fork is classified as high hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. 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 Length2,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage2.8K acre-ft
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDMT00600

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: June 2, 2011
State Regulated: No

Ownership

BIA

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Dry Fork?

Upper Dry Fork 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 Upper Dry Fork?

Upper Dry Fork is owned by BIA (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Dry Fork built?

Upper Dry Fork 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.

When was Upper Dry Fork last inspected?

Upper Dry Fork was last inspected on June 2, 2011. 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.