Belle Fourche Dam, South Dakota, USA

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Quick Facts About Belle Fourche Dam

Location: Butte, South Dakota
Coordinates: 44.7319, -103.6763
River: Owl Creek River
Primary Purpose: Irrigation
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1911
Dam Height: 122 ft (37 m)
Dam Length: 6,262 ft (1,909 m)
Dam Capacity: 278,216 acre-ft (343,174 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Belle Fourche Dam Map

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Belle Fourche Dam Information

Belle Fourche Dam is an earthen embankment dam located in None, Butte, South Dakota.

The dam, which is on the Owl Creek River, was primarily built for Irrigation purposes, but also serves for Recreation benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1911 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Belle Fourche Dam Structure

The Belle Fourche Dam is approximately 6,262 feet (1,909 m) long, 122 feet (37 m) high and has a structural volume of 1,783,200 cubic yards (1,363,354 cubic metres).

Belle Fourche Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 192,077 acre-ft (236,923 Ml) and maximum capacity of 278,216 acre-ft (343,174 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 9,861 acres (3,991 ha) and the total catchment area is 170 square miles (440 square kilometres).

Belle Fourche Dam Spillway

The dam spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 4500 cubic feet per second (127 cubic metres per second).

Belle Fourche Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Belle Fourche Dam
Butte, South Dakota
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 122 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 6,262 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 278,216 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 170 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Belle Fourche Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Belle Fourche Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Belle Fourche Dam

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Belle Fourche Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Belle Fourche Dam?

Belle Fourche Dam is in South Dakota.

In which county is the Belle Fourche Dam?

Belle Fourche Dam is in Butte County.

How high is the Belle Fourche Dam?

Belle Fourche Dam is 122 feet high.

How long is the Belle Fourche Dam?

Belle Fourche Dam is 6,262 feet long.

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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