Big Bend Dam, also known as Lake Sharpe, is a federal-owned structure located in Chamberlain, South Dakota, along the Missouri River.
Wind
Humidity
Completed in 1963, the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, navigation, and recreation. With a structural height of 95 feet and a hydraulic height of 78 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1.9 million acre-feet and a surface area of 60,000 acres.
Despite its reliable flood risk reduction capabilities, Big Bend Dam faces a high hazard potential due to the risk of overtopping during extreme flood events. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has implemented ongoing risk management measures, including regular monitoring, maintenance, and repairs, as well as working with state and local agencies to improve emergency preparedness and public awareness of flood risks. Following significant flooding in 2011, additional measures such as enhanced foundation monitoring, upgrades to drainage systems, and repairs to the spillway have been completed to mitigate potential risks.
Communities downstream of Big Bend Dam are advised to stay informed about flood forecasts, evacuation plans, and emergency actions to reduce individual risks. USACE continues to evaluate ways to further reduce risks associated with the dam and encourages public engagement in water management in the Missouri River basin. For more information on the USACE Dam Safety Program and risk assessments, visit: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Dam-Safety-Program.
Year Completed |
1963 |
Dam Length |
10570 |
River Or Stream |
MISSOURI RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
60000 |
Hydraulic Height |
78 |
Drainage Area |
5840 |
Nid Storage |
1900000 |
Structural Height |
95 |
Outlet Gates |
Vertical Lift - 0 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock, Soil |
Nid Height |
95 |
White R Near Oacoma Sd
|
105cfs |
Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd
|
7cfs |
Platte Creek Near Platte
|
3cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Right Tailrace - COE
|
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Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe
|
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Old Fort Thompson - COE
|
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North Shore -COE
|