Rattlesnake Creek Dam Removal & Restoration

Rattlesnake Creek Dam was built in 1901 and served as the primary water source for Missoula until 1983 when Rattlesnake Creek water became contaminated with Giardia. The City of Missoula in partnership with Trout Unlimited and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, is addressing environmental impacts of the dam and associated infrastructure, as well as costs associated with continued management and maintenance of the inactive facility. RDG was retained by Trout Unlimited and the City of Missoula to provide planning, design and construction oversight services for the removal of Rattlesnake Creek Dam.

RDG evaluated the current condition of the site and adjacent river corridor, then developed a range of concepts for removing the dam and providing fish passage. RDG provided technical support to the City for a series of planning meetings and public scoping meetings to evaluate restoration alternatives and redevelopment of the site for recreation.