Deiss Dam

TRIB. S.BRANCH PINE CREEK· Mellette, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Deiss Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage190 acre-ft
Normal Storage120 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge880 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
Year Modified1999
NID IDSD02446

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

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deiss Dam?

Deiss 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 Deiss Dam?

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

When was Deiss Dam built?

Deiss Dam was completed in 1935, making it 91 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 Deiss Dam?

Deiss 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 Deiss Dam?

Deiss Dam has a dam height of 25 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.