Ruins Detention Dam, located in Nashua, Montana, was completed in 1965 by the Bureau of Land Management for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes.
This gravity dam, with a structural height of 35 feet and a hydraulic height of 29 feet, stands on Willow Creek near the Milk River. With a storage capacity of 201.5 acre-feet and a surface area of 17.6 acres, the dam serves its primary purpose effectively.
Despite its low hazard potential, Ruins Detention Dam is in poor condition, as per a 2019 inspection report. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates, posing a moderate risk (3) to the surrounding area. The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the construction, regulation, inspection, and operation of the dam, with no state jurisdiction or permitting involved. Climate and water resource enthusiasts may find the structural and operational details of Ruins Detention Dam intriguing, as it plays a crucial role in managing water resources and protecting against wildfires in the area.
Wind
Humidity
Year Completed |
1965 |
Dam Length |
536 |
River Or Stream |
WILLOW CK./MILK RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Gravity |
Surface Area |
17.6 |
Hydraulic Height |
29 |
Drainage Area |
0.6 |
Nid Storage |
201.5 |
Structural Height |
35 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Unlisted/Unknown |
Nid Height |
35 |
Milk River At Tampico Mt
|
290cfs |
Beaver Cr Bl Guston Coulee Nr Saco Mt
|
67cfs |
Beaver Creek Near Hinsdale Mt
|
10cfs |
Milk River At Juneberg Bridge Nr Saco Mt
|
104cfs |
Milk River At Malta Mt
|
19cfs |
Milk River At Nashua Mt
|
233cfs |