Map of All 3,025 Montana Dams
Montana has 3,025 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 214 are classified as high hazard (7% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 41 Montana dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Montana dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Montana to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Montana Dams by the Numbers
- 3,025 total dams in Montana
- 214 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 192 significant hazard
- 2,608 low hazard
- 139 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (81 poor, 58 unsatisfactory)
- 41 Montana dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Montana
The tallest dam in Montana is Yankee Doodle Tailings Dam at 570 feet, completed in 1972. The 10 tallest Montana dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankee Doodle Tailings Dam | 570 ft | 1972 | Other | Satisfactory | Silver Bow |
| Hungry Horse Dam | 564 ft | 1953 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Flathead |
| Yellowtail Dam | 525 ft | 1966 | – | Not Available | Big Horn |
| Libby Dam | 422 ft | 1973 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Lincoln |
| Noxon Rapids | 260 ft | 1960 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Sanders |
| Fort Peck Dam | 256 ft | 1940 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | McCone |
| Canyon Ferry Dam | 225 ft | 1954 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Lewis and Clark |
| Tiber Dam | 211 ft | 1956 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Liberty |
| Swift (Pondera) | 205 ft | 1967 | Irrigation | Satisfactory | Pondera |
| Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) | 200 ft | 1938 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Lake |
High-Hazard Montana Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 41 dams in Montana. Notable examples:
- Kootenai Dvlpmnt Impoundment Dam (151 ft, Lincoln County) — Other, Poor condition
- West Fork Bitterroot (Painted Rocks) (143 ft, Ravalli County) — Irrigation, Poor condition
- Newlan Creek Dam (131 ft, Meagher County) — Irrigation, Poor condition
- Hubbart (130 ft, Flathead County) — Irrigation, Poor condition
- Willow Creek Dam (105 ft, Madison County) — Irrigation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Montana
Dam safety in Montana is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Montana?
Montana has 3,025 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 214 high hazard, 192 significant hazard, and 2,608 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Montana?
The tallest dam in Montana is Yankee Doodle Tailings Dam at 570 feet, completed in 1972. It is primarily a other structure.
How many Montana dams are in poor condition?
139 Montana dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 41 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
