Ester Lake (phillips)

Ester Lake (phillips) is an earth dam located in Phillips County, Montana, built in 1954. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.

About Ester Lake (phillips)

The primary purpose of Ester Lake (phillips) is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by State Of Montana, D.f.w.p. (state). It impounds the Big Warm Spring Creek near Saco.

The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 137 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 758 acre-feet. Completed in 1954, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life.

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Significant Hazard ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateMontana
CountyPhillips
Nearest CitySaco
River/StreamBig Warm Spring Creek
Coordinates48.10158, -108.26148

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height17 ft
Dam Height17 ft
Dam Length600 ft
Year Completed1954 (72 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage758 acre-ft
Max Storage758 acre-ft
Normal Storage390 acre-ft
Surface Area137 acres

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerSTATE OF MONTANA, D.F.W.P.
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDMT01311
Federal IDMT01311
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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