Wilke Dam

COW CREEK· Phillips, Montana· Built 1912· Earth· 16 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Wilke Dam is classified as low hazard in Montana. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 31.7% in MT)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage175 acre-ft
Normal Storage51 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDMT03803

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

LESTER WILKE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wilke Dam?

Wilke 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 Wilke Dam?

Wilke Dam is owned by LESTER WILKE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wilke Dam built?

Wilke Dam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Wilke Dam?

Wilke Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wilke Dam?

Wilke Dam has a dam height of 16 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.