Beal Dam

TR-MISSOURI· Buffalo, South Dakota· Built 1952· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Beal Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length1,150 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage94 acre-ft
Normal Storage46 acre-ft
Max Discharge660 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDSD00167

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

LOUIS BEAL

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Beal Dam?

Beal 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 Beal Dam?

Beal Dam is owned by LOUIS BEAL (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Beal Dam built?

Beal Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Beal Dam?

Beal 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 Beal Dam?

Beal 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.