Benson Dam

Benson Dam is an earth dam located in Tripp County, South Dakota, built in 1977. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.

About Benson Dam

The primary purpose of Benson Dam is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Robert & Judy Benson (private). It impounds the Willow Creek.

The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 116 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 78 square miles. Completed in 1977, the structure is 49 years old.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 11/01/1983. That was over 42 years ago.

At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.

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Low Hazard ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateSouth Dakota
CountyTripp
Nearest CityNone
River/StreamWillow Creek
Coordinates43.12166, -99.99166

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height35 ft
Dam Height35 ft
Dam Length700 ft
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage2,900 acre-ft
Max Storage2,900 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,450 acre-ft
Surface Area116 acres
Drainage Area78 sq mi
Max Discharge6,000 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
OwnerROBERT & JUDY BENSON
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationLow
Last Inspection11/01/1983
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDSD02242
Federal IDSD02242
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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