Cole Dam

TR-GRAND· Perkins, South Dakota· Built 1934· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Cole Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length530 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage135 acre-ft
Normal Storage102 acre-ft
Max Discharge240 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDSD00919

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
Last Inspection: November 17, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

South Fork Impoundment

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Lester Sein

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

Pasture 6en Du SWSw

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

Harold Hedstron

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 26 ft

Jenson Dam

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 29 ft

Chapman Dam

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 20 ft

Morris Jensen

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

Morris Jensen

Perkins, SD

Low Hazard 32 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cole Dam?

Cole 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 Cole Dam?

Cole Dam is owned by S&PL (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cole Dam built?

Cole Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Cole Dam?

Cole Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cole Dam?

Cole Dam has a dam height of 25 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.

When was Cole Dam last inspected?

Cole Dam was last inspected on November 17, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.