Fate Dam

NAIL CREEK· Lyman, South Dakota· Built 1938· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Fate Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage864 acre-ft
Surface Area70 acres
Drainage Area29 sq mi
Max Discharge6,671 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDSD02156

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 17, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Brakke Dam

Lyman, SD

Significant Hazard 29 ft

Leichtnam Dam

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Comp Dam

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 18 ft

Lee Anderson

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 27 ft

Cone Dam

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Dorman Dam

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 18 ft

Ehlers Dam

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Byre Dam

Lyman, SD

Significant Hazard 27 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fate Dam?

Fate 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 Fate Dam?

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

When was Fate Dam built?

Fate Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Fate Dam?

Fate Dam 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 Fate Dam?

Fate 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.

When was Fate Dam last inspected?

Fate Dam was last inspected on November 17, 2020. 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.