George Merickson Dam 1

CROOKED OAK CREEK· Butte, South Dakota· Built 1955· Earth· 28 ft tall

Key Takeaway

George Merickson Dam 1 is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 77.7% in SD)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage504 acre-ft
Normal Storage268 acre-ft
Max Discharge3,840 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDSD00886

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

SPRING CREEK LIVESTOCK

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of George Merickson Dam 1?

George Merickson Dam 1 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 George Merickson Dam 1?

George Merickson Dam 1 is owned by SPRING CREEK LIVESTOCK (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was George Merickson Dam 1 built?

George Merickson Dam 1 was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 George Merickson Dam 1?

George Merickson Dam 1 serves the following purposes: 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 George Merickson Dam 1?

George Merickson Dam 1 has a dam height of 28 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.

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.