Ehlers Dam

TRIB. CEDAR CREEK· Lyman, South Dakota· Built 1992· Earth· 16 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Ehlers Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1992 and is 34 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 15.7% in SD)
Dam Length555 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage55 acre-ft
Normal Storage33 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge537 cfs
Year Completed1992 (34 years old)
NID IDSD02371

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

LaVERNE EHLERS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ehlers Dam?

Ehlers 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 Ehlers Dam?

Ehlers Dam is owned by LaVERNE EHLERS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ehlers Dam built?

Ehlers Dam was completed in 1992, making it 34 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 Ehlers Dam?

Ehlers Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, 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 Ehlers Dam?

Ehlers Dam has a dam height of 16 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.