Finale Dam Rehabilitation Nears Completion, Restoring Safe Access to More Than 250,000 Acres of Public Lands

Triple Crossing Access Road reopened Oct. 30th following the Bureau of Land Management’s rehabilitation of Finale Detention Dam in south Valley County, improving public safety, protecting wildlife habitat, and restoring dependable access to more than 250,000 acres of public lands.

The project repaired and upgraded aging dam infrastructure identified during inspections after 60 years of service and multiple high-flow weather events. Crews rebuilt sections of the dam’s foundation and embankment, installed a new spillway to safely handle water during storms, replaced worn components, and repaired the road across the dam’s crest. Travelers may experience minor delays crossing the dam as contractors wrap up work on the dam and demobilize from the site.

“The completion of this project strengthens an important piece of public infrastructure and restores reliable access to the surrounding public lands,” said Mike Borgreen, BLM Glasgow Field Office manager. “These improvements will help protect nearby communities, support healthy wildlife habitat, and keep hunting, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation opportunities accessible for years to come.”

Finale Detention Dam is a low-hazard dam built in 1965. Funding for the rehabilitation came primarily from the Great American Outdoors Act, which invests in deferred maintenance and projects that enhance public access and conserve natural resources across America’s public lands. The BLM awarded a $1.2 million contract for the work to Youderian Construction Inc., a registered small business based in Stanford, Montana.