Belle Fourche Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Belle Fourche Dam
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Construction of the Belle Fourche Dam, circa 1904
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| Location | Butte County, South Dakota |
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| Nearest city | Belle Fourche, South Dakota |
| Area | 125 acres (51 ha) |
| Built | 1911 |
| Built by | U.S. Bureau of Reclamation |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001239 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1977 |
The Belle Fourche Dam, also known as Orman Dam, is a large dam located in Butte County, South Dakota, USA. It sits about eight miles east of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, along U.S. Route 212. This important dam was built on Owl Creek. Its construction created the Belle Fourche Reservoir. It also helped establish the Belle Fourche National Wildlife Refuge and the Rocky Point Recreation Area.
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Discover the Belle Fourche Dam
The Belle Fourche Dam is a famous landmark in South Dakota. It plays a big role in the area. The dam helps manage water and provides a place for fun activities. It also protects wildlife.
What is the Belle Fourche Reservoir?
The Belle Fourche Dam created a huge lake called the Belle Fourche Reservoir. This reservoir has about 8,000 acres of water. It also includes 6,700 acres of land around it. The shoreline stretches for 58 miles.
The reservoir is a great spot for fishing. It is stocked with fish like walleye, catfish, and white bass. The average depth of the water is about 25 feet. However, some areas can be as deep as 60 feet when the reservoir is full.
Fun Activities at the Reservoir
Many people visit the Belle Fourche Reservoir for outdoor fun. Popular activities include boating and fishing. In winter, people enjoy ice fishing and ice skating. Camping and cooking out are also common. You can also go water skiing or even look for fossils.
A Giant Among Dams
The Belle Fourche Dam was finished in 1911. It was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. At the time, it was the largest earthen dam in the entire world. An earthen dam is made mostly of soil, sand, and rock.
The dam is recognized for its historical importance. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place worth preserving. In 1989, it was also named one of the Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks. This honor is given to important engineering projects.
How Big is the Belle Fourche Dam?
The Belle Fourche Dam is a massive structure. It is made from about 1,783,000 cubic yards of material. That's a lot of earth! The base of the dam is very wide, about 650 feet across.
The dam stands 122 feet tall from its base. The top of the dam, called the crest, is 6,262 feet long. It is also 19 feet wide. These measurements show just how big and impressive this dam truly is.
