Kelly Dam
Kelly Dam is an earth dam located in Beaverhead County, Montana, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Kelly Dam
The primary purpose of Kelly Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Will Shirley (private). It impounds the Rattlesnake Creek near Argenta.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 44 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 850 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 24 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/06/2023.
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 | Beaverhead |
| Nearest City | Argenta |
| River/Stream | Rattlesnake Creek |
| Coordinates | 45.32766, -112.94390 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 850 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 850 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 614 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 44 acres |
| Drainage Area | 24 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,240 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | WILL SHIRLEY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 07/06/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MT01563 |
| Federal ID | MT01563 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |