Frd No 53

About Frd No 53

The primary purpose of Frd No 53 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Upper Black Vermillion Wjd No 37 (local government). It impounds the Black Vermillion River-tr near Vermillion.

The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 1,265 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 743 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1975, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 04/02/2023.

At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.

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