Bill Welk Dam

FOOT CREEK· Brown, South Dakota· Built 1996· Earth· 15 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Bill Welk Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1996 and is 30 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 11.1% in SD)
Dam Length438 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage441 acre-ft
Normal Storage126 acre-ft
Surface Area46 acres
Drainage Area81 sq mi
Max Discharge5,000 cfs
Year Completed1996 (30 years old)
NID IDSD02440

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

BILL WELK

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bill Welk Dam?

Bill Welk Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bill Welk Dam?

Bill Welk Dam is owned by BILL WELK (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bill Welk Dam built?

Bill Welk Dam was completed in 1996, making it 30 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bill Welk Dam?

Bill Welk Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bill Welk Dam?

Bill Welk Dam has a dam height of 15 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.