Deer Dam

TR-LITTLE MISSOURI· Harding, South Dakota· Built 1963· Earth· 17 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Deer Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 20.2% in SD)
Dam Length411 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage950 acre-ft
Normal Storage73 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,050 cfs
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDSD01204

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

PAINTERS INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deer Dam?

Deer 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 Deer Dam?

Deer Dam is owned by PAINTERS INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Deer Dam built?

Deer Dam was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Deer Dam?

Deer Dam serves the following purposes: 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 Deer Dam?

Deer Dam has a dam height of 17 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.

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.