Wilbur Russell

TRIB. CHAPELLE CREEK· Hughes, South Dakota· Built 1956· Earth· 15 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Wilbur Russell is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 11.1% in SD)
Dam Length510 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage105 acre-ft
Normal Storage53 acre-ft
Max Discharge4,024 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDSD01526

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: July 15, 1986
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

WILBUR RUSSELL

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wilbur Russell?

Wilbur Russell 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 Wilbur Russell?

Wilbur Russell is owned by WILBUR RUSSELL (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wilbur Russell built?

Wilbur Russell was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Wilbur Russell?

Wilbur Russell 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 Wilbur Russell?

Wilbur Russell 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.

When was Wilbur Russell last inspected?

Wilbur Russell was last inspected on July 15, 1986. 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.