Sioux Falls Diversion is a gravity dam located in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 21 ft21 ft tall and 82 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Sioux Falls Diversion
The primary purpose of Sioux Falls Diversion 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 City of Sioux Falls (local government). It impounds the Big Sioux River near Sioux Falls.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 82 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 1,200 acre-feet. 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.
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Location
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Minnehaha |
| Nearest City | Sioux Falls |
| River/Stream | Big Sioux River |
| Coordinates | 43.59964, -96.74147 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 82 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 216 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 18,600 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | City of Sioux Falls |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SD00697 |
| Federal ID | SD00697 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |