Columbia Road Dam

JAMES RIVER· Brown, South Dakota· Built 1939· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Columbia Road Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 1.1% in SD)
Dam Length3,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage41.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage18.4K acre-ft
Surface Area6,050 acres
Drainage Area4,140 sq mi
Max Discharge3,510 cfs
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDSD01192

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: October 20, 2020
State Regulated: No
Regulatory Agency: DENR

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Columbia Road Dam?

Columbia Road 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 Columbia Road Dam?

Columbia Road Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Columbia Road Dam built?

Columbia Road Dam was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Columbia Road Dam?

Columbia Road Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Columbia Road Dam?

Columbia Road Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Columbia Road Dam last inspected?

Columbia Road Dam was last inspected on October 20, 2020. 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.