• If you own a dam with a reservoir that provides public benefits, DNRC will consider sharing the costs of completing your Five-Year Dam Evaluation. DNRC has been cost-sharing these inspections since 2024 and has allocated all remaining funds for dams with 2026 inspections. We are excited to announce that the Montana Legislature passed, and Gov. Gianforte signed, HB 924, which provides state funds for inspection assistance. This program will be administered by CARDD and is expected to be running by July 1, 2027. 
• DNRC has hired an engineering contractor to develop improved Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manual guidance and templates. Phase I is nearly complete. For Phase II, we will hire engineering contractors to work one-on-one with dam owners to produce quality dam Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manuals.
• The Montana Association of Dam and Canal Systems (MADCS) is an important resource for dam owners. Comprised mainly of irrigators and small municipalities, financial support is needed to continue their mission. DNRC will use the grant to ensure continued success of the organization. For more information, please go to MADCS.org
• Dam owners are responsible for inspecting their dams between five-year inspections. During the listening session, dam owners asked for Improved Owner Inspection Tools to assist with this task. DNRC plans to hire a contractor to produce improved inspection forms and templates. In addition, DNRC will purchase outlet conduit cameras and confined space entry equipment, locating these in regional offices for dam owners to borrow. 
• There is broad agreement that Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) need improvement. Many dams have old, hard to read inundation maps, and the federal template used to develop the EAPs is too complex to be practical in an emergency. In the EAP Modernization Project, for Phase I, DNRC has hired a contractor to develop modernized EAP templates and guidance applicable to the unique characteristics of Montana dams. These are available here: https://dnrc.mt.gov/Water-Resources/Dam-Safety/Emergency-Action-Plans. Our contractor also prioritized dams for EAP updates. For Phase II, DNRC will hire engineering contractors to work one-on-one with dam owners and county emergency managers to produce EAPs specific to the dam, the county, the downstream area, and the dam owner.

• DNRC will hire engineering contractors to complete much of the work funded with this grant. DNRC can contract with engineering firms who have been prequalified to do work for us through the 2025 - 2027 biennium. DNRC will hire contractors for each of the following projects. For additional information, please read the "Grant Projects" portion of this webpage.
• Five-Year Dam Evaluation Project: DNRC will contract directly with the engineering firm to support work on the Five-Year Engineer's Safety Evaluation.
• For the O&M Enhancement Project and EAP Modernization Project, DNRC has hired contractors to develop updated templates and guidance for both projects. For Phase II of these projects, engineering firms will work one-on-one with dam owners to update their O&M manuals and EAPs. DNRC will contract directly with these engineering firms.
• For the Dam Owner Tools, DNRC will contract with an engineering firm to develop updated inspection and photo forms. We will also purchase additional outlet inspection sleds for engineers and dam owners to use across the state.
• The Montana Association of Dam & Canal Systems also provides valuable training opportunities to engineers! This grant funding assures continued financial support of the MADCS annual workshop.

• Dam Emergency Action plans will be improved to reflect resources available within the county to respond to dam emergencies.
• Inundation maps will be modernized and improved in collaboration with county emergency managers.
• DNRC facilitated dam emergency exercises will be available to counties, upon request.

If you own a DNRC regulated high hazard dam with a reservoir that provides public benefits, DNRC will consider sharing the costs of completing your Five-Year Dam Evaluation. 

To request assistance, please email or mail a letter to DNRC Dam Safety Program Manager Brent Zundel (bzundel@mt.gov) describing the public benefits of the reservoir and details of the planned Five Year Evaluation.  Instructions and other important information are contained in the following document: 

Five Year Dam Evaluation Expense Assistance Request Instructions

• The goal of this program is to provide financial assistance to owners of DNRC-regulated high hazard dams with Five Year Evaluation expenses, as set forth in the Administrative Rules of Montana ARM 36.14.6 Five Year Dam Evaluations. Funding is through a FEMA grant to DNRC.

• To be eligible for the funding, the dam/reservoir must provide clear public benefits. Wildlife habitat without associated public access does not qualify as a public benefit for this program.

• Dam owners are responsible for expenses related to the visual inspection and other components of the Operation Permit Application (EAP & O&M update). DNRC will pay for expenses related to the Engineer’s Evaluation & Report.

• DNRC will contract directly with your engineer. Your engineer must accept the standard contract language in the State of Montana’s contracts. For more information and example contracts, please go to: https://dnrc.mt.gov/Water-Resources/WOB/Contracting_DNRC_WOB

• In order to be eligible for inspection assistance funding, dam owners must select contractors who have been pre-qualified through DNRC's procurement process. DNRC has a list of qualified contractors that has been distributed to dam owners with inspection due in 2025 and is available upon request.

• The DNRC contract will require engineers to use the Safety Evaluation Report Template available at: https://dnrc.mt.gov/Water-Resources/Dam-Safety/Engineer-Evaluations

• The limit of billable hours that can be contracted with DNRC has been increased compared to 2024, based on feedback from dam owners and engineers who participated. The new limit depends on the type of dam:
  
  

  table for costs based on maximum billable hours and type of dam. Low consequence dam = 40 billable hours. High consequence dam = 50 billable hours, Reservoir system of Flood Control System = 70 billable hours.

  Dam Type	Maximum Billable Hours
  Low Consequence Dam[1]	40
  High Consequence Dam[1]	50
  Reservoir System or Flood Control System[2]	70

  [1]According to a 2022 credible risk analysis performed for DNRC, dams with less than 100 population at risk (PAR) during a normal pool failure are classified as low consequence, and dams with greater than 100 PAR during a normal pool failure are classified as high consequence.
  [2]For the purposes of the Inspection Assistance Program, DNRC will treat a Reservoir System as one reservoir with multiple dams or dikes. DNRC will also group multiple dams that consist of a Flood Control System.

• Funds are limited and DNRC reserves the right to prioritize requests. Submitting a request does not guarantee funding will be available. This assistance is provided using federal funds and is therefore subject to continuing availability of those federal funds.

• An engineer’s failure to perform does not relieve the dam owner of their responsibility to provide an adequate Five-Year Evaluation report. It is important for dam owners to verify your engineer has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete a Five-Year Evaluation. For more information on hiring an engineer, please refer to: https://dnrc.mt.gov/Water-Resources/Dam-Safety/For-Dam-Owners

Questions?  Please refer to: Questions you may have about the Five Year Evaluation Expense Assistance Program.  You may also contact any Dam Safety Program staff member; our contact information is listed at the bottom of this page.

Project Goals 

The goal of this program is to modernize Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for Montana dams and to help dam owners develop EAPs that are customized for their unique situation, the characteristics of their dam, and incorporate local knowledge and emergency management capabilities. 

 Phase I of this project developed modernized EAP templates, guidance documents, and inundation mapping templates and guidance. Phase I has been completed, and the results are available at the following link: https://dnrc.mt.gov/Water-Resources/Dam-Safety/Emergency-Action-Plans. 

 The Dam Safety Program’s contractor in Phase I prioritized dams according to need, downstream risk, condition of current EAP, and dam condition. 

 Phase II of this project involves working one-on-one with dam owners to update their EAPs. The Dam Safety Program will contract with multiple engineering firms to work with dam owners and emergency managers to develop modernized EAPS and inundation maps. 

State law requires that owners of High Hazard dams have Emergency Action Plans, 85-15-212(c), MCA, and ARM 36.14.406. Emergency preparedness is a key component of dam safety and reduces the likelihood of loss of life or property damage during the unlikely event of a dam failure or serious incident. 

 The Dam Safety Program recognizes that many dam owners struggle with this aspect of dam ownership, and so we have developed new guidance and templates that are geared toward Montana dams. Our goal is to modernize these EAPs and tailor them to your unique circumstances, so that they are a more useful document, rather than one more task to complete in your regulatory checklist. 

 The Dam Safety Program has one-time-only funding to work one-on-one with your engineers and local emergency managers. This project, offered at no cost to dam owners, will help update this required document. 

Who Is Eligible?

High Hazard dams regulated by the Montana DNRC Dam Safety Program and subject to the provisions of the Montana Dam Safety Act, 85-15, MCA, are eligible. Dams not regulated by the Montana DNRC Dam Safety Program or exempted from the Montana Dam Safety Act under 85-15-107, MCA, are not eligible. Ineligible dams include federally owned dams, private dams on federal property that are regulated by federal agencies (e.g., dams regulated by the U.S. Forest Service), hydropower dams, and tailings dams on active mines.  

How Will I Be Notified?

Dam Safety Program staff will reach out to individual dam owners, starting with the highest-ranked dams first and then moving down the prioritization list until all funds have been committed. Unfortunately, there is not enough funding to update EAPs for all eligible dams, but the state remains committed to doing the most good for Montana dam owners with the funds available. To be successful, this project requires active participation from the dam owner. The Dam Safety Program is providing significant funding to dam owners; before participating, be sure you are willing and able to dedicate the time to ensure success. 

What kind of commitment should I expect if I am asked to participate?

Engagement and coordination with your local emergency manager will be important to have a successful EAP. As part of this effort, the funding will cover an in-person meeting with you, the contractor, and local emergency manager. This meeting will be to discuss the EAP update, timeline, and expectations. Along with the initial meeting you can also expect the contractor to request feedback during the update.  

What If I Am Not Chosen?

We sincerely wish we had enough money to update all statewide EAPs; we believe in a future where all Montana dams are safe. The goal of this program is to do the most good for Montana dam owners with the available funding. If you are not chosen, we encourage you to use the updated templates and guidance documents the next time you update your EAP. 

How Will Contracting Be Done for This Project?

In order to be eligible for EAP Modernization funding, dam owners must select contractors who have been pre-qualified through DNRC's procurement process. DNRC has a list of qualified contractors that we will distribute to dam owners and is available upon request. DNRC will contract directly with your contractor. If you have historically worked with an engineer who is not on the pre-qualified list, you will have the option to choose a contractor from the list. The DNRC will contract directly with the selected contractor to complete the work (you as the dam owner will not receive money to conduct this project; we will handle all the contracting and invoicing). 

Will the New EAP Be Different than the Current EAP?

Yes, many Montana dams currently use a national EAP template that was developed primarily for dams designed by the NRCS. The new EAP templates and guidance have been developed to be specific to Montana dams and our state requirements. As part of this EAP Modernization project, DNRC developed new guidance, an EAP template, and inundation mapping guidance. These tools will be used if your dam is selected. The new information can be viewed here on the Dam Safety website https://dnrc.mt.gov/Water-Resources/Dam-Safety/Emergency-Action-Plans   

What Is the Source of Funding?

This project is funded by an Assistance to States Grant from the FEMA National Dam Safety Program. Funds from the FY 2024 National Dam Safety Assistance Grant EMD-2024-GR-05062 will be used to support this project. 

Contracting Information – for Engineering Firms

• In order for DNRC to contract with you, you must be one of the firms who submitted a Statement of Qualifications to the Dam Safety Program for the 2025 – 2027 biennium and have applied for the Emergency Preparedness category. 

• The DNRC will contract directly with your firm (very similar to the Inspection Assistance Program, with which you might already be familiar). You must accept the standard contract language in the State contract. Due to the volume of contracts, we are unable to negotiate or redline contract sections. 

• The DNRC contract will require engineers to use the updated Emergency Action Plan templates and guidance documents available at https://dnrc.mt.gov/Water-Resources/Dam-Safety/Emergency-Action-Plans. 

• The tasks for this project are: (1) Update the EAP document, (2) Perform an in-person meeting with the dam owner and local emergency manager (including a site visit to the dam, if feasible), and (3) Update inundation mapping – if recommended for that dam (not required for all dams). Due to the volume of contracts, DNRC has developed standardized not-to-exceed amounts for each of these contracts. Within the scope of this project, DNRC has limited ability to negotiate higher amounts for individual tasks. Work must be completed on a time-and-materials basis. The task amounts are: 

[1] According to a 2022 credible risk analysis performed for DNRC, dams with less than 100 population at risk (PAR) during a normal pool failure are classified as low consequence, and dams with greater than 100 PAR during a normal pool failure are classified as high consequence. For the purposes of the EAP Modernization Phase II project, unscreened PAR values will be used. 

[2] Multiple dams owned by the same entity should be included in the same Emergency Action Plan if appropriate (e.g., dams in series, multiple flood control dams that protect the same downstream area). For multiple dams included in the same EAP, contracts will be structured as shown below: 

• Task A amount = 1.5 x the dollar amount for the highest dam consequence type. 

• Example: Two low consequence dams and one high consequence dam would be allocated 1.5 x $8,000 = $12,000 total. 

• Task B amount = $3,000 total (unchanged – assume one Engagement Visit) 

• Task C amount = $6,000 per low-consequence dam and $8,000 per high-consequence dam 

DNRC has templates and information available to help dam owners conduct their annual inspections on the following web page: For-Dam-Owners

Dam Owners have requested improved resources for documenting the inspections, including easier to use inspection and photo forms, the ability to customize the forms according to the dam and developing apps for tablets and phones that make recording an inspection easier. Other requests include developing improved methods for archive and documenting photos and providing confined space entry forms and information. 

To Dam Owners:  What are your requests?  What can DNRC do to make your annual owner inspections more efficient?   Please email us your ideas (contact info below).  

Doug Brugger, PE - Interim Water Operations Bureau Chief (406) 444-1300

Brent Zundel, PE - Dam Safety Program Manager                 (406) 556-4508

Chad Hill - Dam Safety Engineering Specialist                       (406) 444-1358

Sam Johnson, PE - Dam Safety Construction Engineer        (406) 247-4423

Mickey Navidomskis, PE - Engineering Services Supervisor  (406) 542-5885

Linda Winn - Billings Regional Engineer                                    (406) 256-7660

Peri Turk, PE - Helena Regional Engineer                                 (406) 444-1872

Ryan Murphy, PE - Lewistown Regional Engineer                    (406) 535-1926

Larry Schock - Missoula Regional Engineer                            (406) 542-5885

Mickey Navidomskis, PE - Havre Regional Engineer              (406) 542-5885