Besler Dam No.1

TR MOREAU RIVER· Perkins, South Dakota· Built 2000· Earth· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Besler Dam No.1 is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2000 and is 26 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 49.8% in SD)
Dam Length374 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage62 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge2,025 cfs
Year Completed2000 (26 years old)
NID IDSD02516

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
Last Inspection: November 18, 2003
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

BRAD BESLER

Private

Nearby Dams

Besler Dam No. 3

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 20 ft

Besler Dam No. 6

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Besler Dam #2

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Besler Dam No. 5

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 22 ft

Besler Dam No. 4

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 22 ft

John Tescher

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Ernest Kolb

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 15 ft

Wayne Besler

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Besler Dam No.1?

Besler Dam No.1 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 Besler Dam No.1?

Besler Dam No.1 is owned by BRAD BESLER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Besler Dam No.1 built?

Besler Dam No.1 was completed in 2000, making it 26 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 Besler Dam No.1?

Besler Dam No.1 serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, 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 Besler Dam No.1?

Besler Dam No.1 has a dam height of 23 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.

When was Besler Dam No.1 last inspected?

Besler Dam No.1 was last inspected on November 18, 2003. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.