Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 5
Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 5 is an earth dam located in Cass County, North Dakota, built in 1961. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 5
The primary purpose of Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 5 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 Maple River Wrb (local government). It impounds the Buffalo Creek-tr near Mapleton.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 1,072 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 30 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,019 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 30 square miles. Completed in 1961, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/17/2021.
At 39 feet, this dam is taller than 86% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | North Dakota |
| County | Cass |
| Nearest City | Mapleton |
| River/Stream | Buffalo Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 46.88487, -97.42193 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,072 ft |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,019 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,019 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 187 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 30 acres |
| Drainage Area | 30 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Maple River WRB |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 08/17/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ND00022 |
| Federal ID | ND00022 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |