Big Elk is an earth dam located in Wheatland County, Montana, built in 1927. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 21 ft21 ft tall and 814 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Big Elk
The primary purpose of Big Elk is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Martin Ranch Co and C Bar J Ranch LLC (private). It impounds the Tr- Big Elk Creek near Twodot.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 814 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 75 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1927, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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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Location
| State | Montana |
| County | Wheatland |
| Nearest City | Twodot |
| River/Stream | Tr- Big Elk Creek |
| Coordinates | 46.31790, -110.13760 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 814 ft |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 477 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 75 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 240 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Martin Ranch Co and C Bar J Ranch LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MT01238 |
| Federal ID | MT01238 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |