Cold Brook Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cold Brook Dam |
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Aerial view of Cold Brook Lake and Dam
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 Location of Cold Brook Dam in South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Fall River County, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 43°27′15″N 103°29′21″W / 43.454100°N 103.489091°W |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1953 |
| Owner(s) |  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment |
| Impounds | Cold Brook Creek |
| Height | 127 feet |
| Width (crest) | 925 feet |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Cold Brook Lake |
| Total capacity | 7,200 acre-feet |
| Surface area | 36 acres |
| Website U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District |
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Cold Brook Dam is a special kind of wall built across Cold Brook Creek. It is located near Hot Springs, South Dakota. This area is in Fall River County, which is in the southwestern part of the state. It's also in the southern part of the beautiful Black Hills.
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Cold Brook Dam: Protecting Hot Springs
Cold Brook Dam is an important structure that helps keep the town of Hot Springs safe. It was built to control floods. When heavy rains cause a lot of water to flow quickly, the dam holds back the water. This stops the water from flooding homes and businesses in the town.
What is an Earthen Dam?
Cold Brook Dam is an earthen dam. This means it is built mostly from natural materials like earth, sand, and rock. It's not made of concrete like some other dams.
- The dam was built in 1953.
- It stands 127 feet tall.
- The top of the dam is 925 feet long.
The dam holds back the water from Cold Brook Creek. This creek is a small stream that flows into a larger river called the Cheyenne River. The dam is owned and managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. They are a group that builds and maintains many important structures across the United States.
Cold Brook Lake: Fun for Everyone
The dam creates a lake called Cold Brook Lake. This lake is a great place for outdoor activities!
- The lake covers about 36 acres of water.
- It can hold a lot of water, up to 7,200 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land one foot deep.
People can visit the Cold Brook Lake Recreation Area all year round. It has many things to do:
- Canoeing and boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Watching wildlife
- Camping
In the winter, when the lake freezes, you can also enjoy:
- Ice fishing
- Ice skating
- Cross-country skiing
The recreation area has a boat ramp, a picnic area, a swim beach, and a campground. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also manages this area.
Nearby Dams
About 5 miles southwest of Cold Brook Dam, there is another dam called Cottonwood Springs Dam. It is also managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
