Beaver Ranch Dam

Beaver Ranch Dam is an earth dam located in Madison County, Montana, built in 1945. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Beaver Ranch Dam

The primary purpose of Beaver Ranch 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 Beaver Dam Ranch Partners (private). It impounds the Leonard Creek near Mcallister.

The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 175 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 145 acre-feet. Completed in 1945, 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 10/15/2024.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMontana
CountyMadison
Nearest CityMcallister
River/StreamLeonard Creek
Coordinates45.46340, -111.84460

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height15 ft
Dam Height15 ft
Dam Length175 ft
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage145 acre-ft
Max Storage145 acre-ft
Normal Storage88 acre-ft

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
OwnerBEAVER DAM RANCH PARTNERS
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection10/15/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMT03718
Federal IDMT03718
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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