Geddes

PEASE CREEK· Charles Mix, South Dakota· Built 1940· Earth· 29 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Geddes is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 82.6% in SD)
Dam Length1,040 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage820 acre-ft
Surface Area41 acres
Drainage Area40 sq mi
Max Discharge10,612 cfs
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
Year Modified2000
NID IDSD00009

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 3, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Merkwan Dam

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Johnson Dam

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Dowd Dam

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Varilek Fishpond #2

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Varilek Fishpond #1

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River Farms Pond

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Dehaan Livestock Dam

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Fort Randall Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Geddes?

Geddes 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 Geddes?

Geddes is owned by S&PL (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Geddes built?

Geddes was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Geddes?

Geddes 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 Geddes?

Geddes has a dam height of 29 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 Geddes last inspected?

Geddes was last inspected on October 3, 2022. 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.