Aikens Dam

TR-MISSOURI· Buffalo, South Dakota· Built 1951· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Aikens Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length240 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage28 acre-ft
Normal Storage16 acre-ft
Max Discharge500 cfs
Year Completed1951 (75 years old)
NID IDSD00160

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

CARROLL ELEESON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Aikens Dam?

Aikens Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Aikens Dam?

Aikens Dam is owned by CARROLL ELEESON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Aikens Dam built?

Aikens Dam was completed in 1951, making it 75 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Aikens Dam?

Aikens Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Aikens Dam?

Aikens Dam has a dam height of 25 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.