Spartan/playfair Park Retention Basins

Spartan/playfair Park Retention Basins is an earth dam located in Missoula County, Montana, built in 2003. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Spartan/playfair Park Retention Basins

The primary purpose of Spartan/playfair Park Retention Basins is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Missoula (local government). It impounds the Offstream near Missoula.

The dam stands 8 feet tall and stretches 5,520 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. 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 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 10/31/2024.

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
CountyMissoula
Nearest CityMissoula
River/StreamOffstream
Coordinates46.83833, -114.01051

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height8 ft
Dam Height8 ft
Dam Length5,520 ft
Year Completed2003 (23 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage150 acre-ft
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage115 acre-ft
Max Discharge75 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerCITY OF MISSOULA
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection10/31/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMT03856
Federal IDMT03856
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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