Macdonald Pond Dam, located in Beaverhead, Montana, was completed in 1953 and is owned and managed by the U.S.
Wind
Humidity
Fish and Wildlife Service. The primary purpose of this earth dam is to serve as a fish and wildlife pond, providing essential habitat for various aquatic species. With a height of 9 feet and a length of 517 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 76 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 16 acre-feet and a surface area of 5 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor as of the last inspection in August 2018. The inspection frequency is set at every 5 years, with the most recent inspection revealing maintenance and safety concerns. Macdonald Pond Dam features controlled outlet gates and a spillway width of 185 feet. The dam is a crucial component of the Elk Creek to Red Rock River water system, providing essential support for the local aquatic ecosystem.
Year Completed |
1953 |
Dam Length |
517 |
Dam Height |
9 |
River Or Stream |
ELK CREEK TO RED ROCK RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
5 |
Hydraulic Height |
9 |
Drainage Area |
14.3 |
Nid Storage |
76 |
Structural Height |
9 |
Outlet Gates |
Other Controlled |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Soil |
Nid Height |
9 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area
|
||
Upper Lake Campground
|
||
Upper Lake
|
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Cliff Point Campground
|
||
Cliff Point
|
||
Hilltop
|
Shakelford Homestead, Sec. 26, T12S, R1W To 1/2 Mi Below Landon Camp, Sec. 32, T12S, R1W
1/2 Below Landon Camp, Sec. 32, T12S, R1W To Up River 3/4 Mi, Sec. 31, T12S, R1W
1/4 Mi West Landon Camp, Sec. 31, T12S, R1W To Fossil Creek, Sec. 27, T12S, R2W
Elk Rv & Wf Madison Rv, Sec. 17, T12S, R1E To Dirty Creek, Sec. 11, T11S, R1W
Jackpine Rd & Wf Madison Rd, Sec. 4, T12S, R1E To Shakelford Homestead, Sec. 25, T1S, R1W
Dirty Ck To Elk River & Gravelly Range Road #290, Sec. 15 T11S R2W