Oglala Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oglala Dam |
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 Location of Oglala Dam in South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 43°10′38″N 102°44′23″W / 43.177330°N 102.739800°W |
| Purpose | Irrigation and Water Storage |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1938 |
| Opening date | 1941 |
| Owner(s) | Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment, earth-fill |
| Impounds | White Clay Creek |
| Height | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Length | 2,600 feet (790 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Oglala Lake |
| Total capacity | 18,300-acre-foot (0.0226 km3) |
| Surface area | 643 acres |
The Oglala Dam is a large earth-fill dam located in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota. It is found within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This dam was built to store water from White Clay Creek. The water is used for irrigation, which means providing water for farms and crops. The dam creates a lake known as Oglala Lake. The Oglala Sioux Tribe owns and operates this important structure.
Building the Oglala Dam
The Oglala Dam is an earthen dam. This means it is built mainly from earth and rock. Its construction took place between 1938 and 1941. The dam is 80 feet (about 24 meters) tall. It stretches 2,600 feet (about 792 meters) across at its top.
The dam was built by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. They worked with two other groups. These were the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Public Works Administration. Both groups were government programs. They helped put people to work during a difficult economic time.
Oglala Lake: The Dam's Reservoir
The Oglala Dam creates a body of water called Oglala Lake. This lake is a reservoir, which is a place where water is collected and stored. The lake's normal surface area is 643 acres. It can hold a maximum of 18,300 acre-feet of water. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land one foot deep.
Even with government help, the dam's original purpose faced challenges. It did not work out as well as planned for irrigation.
Dam Safety and Location
The Oglala Sioux Tribe manages the dam. Their website mentions that the dam has "seasonal openings" each year. A special group called the Safety of Dams Program watches the dam. They check the water levels and flows. This helps them find any big problems early. It also helps them prepare for floods.
The Oglala Dam and Oglala Lake are located just south of the town of Oglala, South Dakota. They are also close to U.S. Route 18.
