Browns Valley Diversion Dam
Browns Valley Diversion Dam is an earth dam located in Roberts County, South Dakota, built in 2010. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Browns Valley Diversion Dam
The primary purpose of Browns Valley Diversion Dam 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 Minnesota River Watershed District (local government). It impounds the Little Minnesota River.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 1,300 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 537 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 444 square miles. Completed in 2010, the structure is relatively new.
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 | Roberts |
| River/Stream | Little Minnesota River |
| Coordinates | 45.58743, -96.84915 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,300 ft |
| Year Completed | 2010 (16 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 537 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 537 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 444 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Upper Minnesota River Watershed District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SD02691 |
| Federal ID | SD02691 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |