Cottonwood Field Station

TR-BAD RIVER· Jackson, South Dakota· Built 1937· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation State Government

Key Takeaway

Cottonwood Field Station is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 24.1% in SD)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage126 acre-ft
Normal Storage72 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,200 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDSD01987

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 1, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cottonwood Field Station?

Cottonwood Field Station 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 Cottonwood Field Station?

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

When was Cottonwood Field Station built?

Cottonwood Field Station was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Cottonwood Field Station?

Cottonwood Field Station serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cottonwood Field Station?

Cottonwood Field Station has a dam height of 18 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 Cottonwood Field Station last inspected?

Cottonwood Field Station was last inspected on November 1, 2023. 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.