Shadehill Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shadehill Dam |
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Shadehill Dam and Reservoir
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 Location of Shadehill Dam in South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Perkins County in northwestern South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 45°45′09″N 102°12′08″W / 45.752534°N 102.202283°W |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1951 |
| Owner(s) | United States Bureau of Reclamation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment |
| Impounds | Grand River |
| Height | 145 ft (44 m) |
| Length | 12,843 ft (3,915 m) |
| Elevation at crest | 2,318 ft (707 m) above msl |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Shadehill Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 468,585 acre⋅ft (0.577991 km3) (Maximum Pool) |
| Active capacity | 81,443 acre⋅ft (0.100458 km3) (Normal Pool) |
| Catchment area | 3,120 square miles (8,100 km2) |
| Surface area | 12,150 acres (49 km2) |
| Website Shadehill Dam - USBR |
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The Shadehill Dam is a large dam built in 1951. It is located on the Grand River in Perkins County, which is in northwestern South Dakota in the United States. The dam is about 10 miles (16 km) south of a town called Lemmon.
The main jobs of the dam and the lake it creates, called Shadehill Reservoir, are to control floods and stop dirt from washing away. It also helps with wildlife and provides a place for people to have fun. The dam is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
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Shadehill Dam: A Closer Look
What is Shadehill Dam?
Shadehill Dam is an embankment dam. This means it is built from natural materials like earth and rock. It was finished in 1951. The dam helps manage the water flow of the Grand River.
How Big is the Dam?
The dam is very tall, standing about 145 feet (44 meters) high. It is also very long, stretching about 12,843 feet (3,915 meters) across the river. The very top of the dam is about 2,318 feet (706 meters) above sea level.
The Shadehill Reservoir
The dam creates a large lake called the Shadehill Reservoir. This lake collects water from a huge area, about 3,120 square miles (8,100 square kilometers). When the reservoir is completely full, it can hold a lot of water, about 468,585 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.
Water Levels and Flow
Normally, the reservoir holds less water, around 81,443 acre-feet. This is the usual level for daily use and conservation. Water is regularly let out of the dam through special openings called outlet works. These can release about 600 cubic feet (17 cubic meters) of water every second.
Handling Floods
When there is a lot of rain or melting snow, the dam needs to release extra water to prevent floods. It has two ways to do this:
- One is a morning glory spillway, which looks like a giant funnel. It can release up to 5,700 cubic feet (161 cubic meters) of water per second.
- The other is an emergency overflow channel. This channel is used for very big floods and can release a massive 127,000 cubic feet (3,600 cubic meters) of water per second.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The Shadehill Dam was first planned to help farmers water their crops. However, tests showed that the water in the reservoir was too salty. Because of this, the plan to use the dam for irrigation was stopped. Instead, the dam focuses on flood control, helping wildlife, and providing fun activities like boating and fishing.
