Cortney Creek Dam

SE HAY CANYON· Fall River, South Dakota· Built 1999· Earth· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Cortney Creek Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1999 and is 27 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD)
Dam Length766 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage57 acre-ft
Normal Storage30 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge555 cfs
Year Completed1999 (27 years old)
NID IDSD02486

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: August 28, 2001
State Regulated: No
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cortney Creek Dam?

Cortney Creek 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 Cortney Creek Dam?

Cortney Creek Dam is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cortney Creek Dam built?

Cortney Creek Dam was completed in 1999, making it 27 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 Cortney Creek Dam?

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

How tall is Cortney Creek Dam?

Cortney Creek Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Cortney Creek Dam last inspected?

Cortney Creek Dam was last inspected on August 28, 2001. 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.