Melstone Detention Dam
Melstone Detention Dam is a gravity dam located in Musselshell County, Montana, built in 2003. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Melstone Detention Dam
The primary purpose of Melstone Detention 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 Musselshell River near Melstone.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 1,050 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 209 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 2003, the structure is relatively new.
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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/20/2020.
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 | Musselshell |
| Nearest City | Melstone |
| River/Stream | Musselshell River |
| Coordinates | 46.60420, -107.90119 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,050 ft |
| Year Completed | 2003 (23 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 209 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 209 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 107 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,045 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond |
| Owner | DOI BLM |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/20/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MT00813 |
| Federal ID | MT00813 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |