East Vermillion

E FORK VERMILLION RIVER· McCook, South Dakota· Built 1958· Earth· 41 ft tall

Key Takeaway

East Vermillion is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 41 ft (taller than 97.1% in SD)
Dam Length1,489 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage17.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage7.0K acre-ft
Surface Area294 acres
Drainage Area402 sq mi
Max Discharge9,840 cfs
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
Year Modified1994
NID IDSD00031

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 14, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of East Vermillion?

East Vermillion 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 East Vermillion?

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

When was East Vermillion built?

East Vermillion was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 East Vermillion?

East Vermillion serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is East Vermillion?

East Vermillion has a dam height of 41 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 East Vermillion last inspected?

East Vermillion was last inspected on November 14, 2019. 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.