Gary Ham Dam

TR. MUD ELM CREEK· Butte, South Dakota· Built 2002· Earth· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Gary Ham Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2002 and is 24 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 65.2% in SD)
Dam Length437 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage400 acre-ft
Normal Storage280 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,080 cfs
Year Completed2002 (24 years old)
NID IDSD02534

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: October 26, 2005
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GARY HAM

Private

Nearby Dams

Lundren 2

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Bobby Peters 2

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Sd Komes 1

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Anderson 1

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Low Hazard 14 ft

Carl Lungren Dam No.1

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 22 ft

Peters 1

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 15 ft

John Anderson 2

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 12 ft

Anderson 5

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gary Ham Dam?

Gary Ham 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 Gary Ham Dam?

Gary Ham Dam is owned by GARY HAM (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Gary Ham Dam built?

Gary Ham Dam was completed in 2002, making it 24 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 Gary Ham Dam?

Gary Ham 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 Gary Ham Dam?

Gary Ham Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Gary Ham Dam last inspected?

Gary Ham Dam was last inspected on October 26, 2005. 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.