Timber is a valuable building material for log crib dams in torrent control. However, due to inherent biological deterioration its stability and strength decreases over time. Round wood beams from three log crib dams, built around 1940, were subjected to bending tests in a case study in situ to determine the bending moment at failure. 60 years after installation, two-thirds of the tested beams still showed a higher bending moment at failure than the original design moment, with an average safety factor of 1.2. The influence of the test conditions and the statics of the systems are discussed here.