Farley Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Farley Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 | 15 ft (taller than 11.1% in SD) |
| Dam Length | 2,800 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.3K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 340 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 74 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,400 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1910 (116 years old) |
| Year Modified | 1993 |
| NID ID | SD01030 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
CITY OF MILBANK
Local Government
Nearby Dams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Farley Lake Dam?
Farley Lake Dam 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 Farley Lake Dam?
Farley Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF MILBANK (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Farley Lake Dam built?
Farley Lake Dam was completed in 1910, making it 116 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 Farley Lake Dam?
Farley Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Farley Lake Dam?
Farley Lake Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Farley Lake Dam last inspected?
Farley Lake Dam was last inspected on August 4, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.