Gardner Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Gardner Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 | 32 ft (taller than 90.4% in SD) |
| Dam Length | 1,050 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 3.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 190 acres |
| Drainage Area | 22 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,825 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1948 (78 years old) |
| Year Modified | 1997 |
| NID ID | SD00617 |
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
GF&P
State Government
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Low Hazard 15 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Gardner Lake Dam?
Gardner 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 Gardner Lake Dam?
Gardner Lake Dam is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Gardner Lake Dam built?
Gardner Lake Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Gardner Lake Dam?
Gardner Lake 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 Gardner Lake Dam?
Gardner Lake Dam has a dam height of 32 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 Gardner Lake Dam last inspected?
Gardner Lake Dam was last inspected on November 10, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.