Pr-19 Retention Dam
Pr-19 Retention Dam is a gravity dam located in Phillips County, Montana, built in 1936. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Pr-19 Retention Dam
The primary purpose of Pr-19 Retention Dam is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Doi Blm (federal). It impounds the Tallow Creek near Saco.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 770 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 51 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 249 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1936, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/22/2020.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Montana dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Montana |
| County | Phillips |
| Nearest City | Saco |
| River/Stream | Tallow Creek |
| Coordinates | 47.97285, -107.52008 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 770 ft |
| Year Completed | 1936 (90 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 249 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 249 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 51 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,780 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond |
| Owner | DOI BLM |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/22/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MT00793 |
| Federal ID | MT00793 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |