Fortune Dam

TRIB. S. FORK BAD RIVER· Pennington, South Dakota· Built 1974· Earth· 15 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Fortune Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 11.1% in SD)
Dam Length350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage135 acre-ft
Normal Storage70 acre-ft
Max Discharge945 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDSD02305

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

EUGENE FORTUNE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fortune Dam?

Fortune 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 Fortune Dam?

Fortune Dam is owned by EUGENE FORTUNE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fortune Dam built?

Fortune Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Fortune Dam?

Fortune 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 Fortune Dam?

Fortune Dam has a dam height of 15 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.