Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 12
Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 12 is an earth dam located in Cass County, North Dakota, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 12
The primary purpose of Swan Buffalo Detention Dam 12 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 Swan Creek near Absaraka.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 1,700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 29 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,615 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 1960, 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 08/18/2021.
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Location
| State | North Dakota |
| County | Cass |
| Nearest City | Absaraka |
| River/Stream | Swan Creek |
| Coordinates | 46.98337, -97.39113 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,615 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,615 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 87 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 29 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13 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 | 08/18/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ND00199 |
| Federal ID | ND00199 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |