Little White River Dam
Key Takeaway
Little White River Dam is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 26 ft (taller than 65.2% in SD) |
| Dam Length | 7,676 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 3.0K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.2K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 150 acres |
| Drainage Area | 332 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,822 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1938 (88 years old) |
| NID ID | SD00982 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Federal Government
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What is the hazard classification of Little White River Dam?
Little White River Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Little White River Dam?
Little White River Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Little White River Dam built?
Little White River Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Little White River Dam?
Little White River Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Little White River Dam?
Little White River Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Little White River Dam last inspected?
Little White River Dam was last inspected on September 17, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.