Curlew

TR-ELK CREEK· Meade, South Dakota· Built 1956· Earth· 43 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Curlew is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 43 ft (taller than 97.6% in SD)
Dam Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Max Discharge4,100 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDSD02160

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 18, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Curlew?

Curlew 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 Curlew?

Curlew is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Curlew built?

Curlew was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Curlew?

Curlew 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 Curlew?

Curlew has a dam height of 43 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 Curlew last inspected?

Curlew was last inspected on November 18, 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.