Irrigation Dams in the United States

Irrigation dams store and divert water for agricultural use. They're concentrated in the western United States, where rainfall alone is insufficient for farming. The massive irrigation projects of the early 20th century — many built by the Bureau of Reclamation — transformed arid land into productive farmland.

Many irrigation dams are smaller structures on private land, though some are among the largest dams in the West. Their condition and maintenance vary widely depending on ownership and funding.