Deerfield Park

SLATE CREEK· Pennington, South Dakota· Built 1981· Earth· 36 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Deerfield Park is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 94.9% in SD)
Dam Length375 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage350 acre-ft
Normal Storage175 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge8,200 cfs
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDSD02208

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 23, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

DEERFIELD PARK PARTNERSHIP

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deerfield Park?

Deerfield Park is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Deerfield Park?

Deerfield Park is owned by DEERFIELD PARK PARTNERSHIP (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Deerfield Park built?

Deerfield Park was completed in 1981, making it 45 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 Deerfield Park?

Deerfield Park 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 Deerfield Park?

Deerfield Park has a dam height of 36 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 Deerfield Park last inspected?

Deerfield Park was last inspected on October 23, 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.