Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam

GRIZZLY GULCH· Lawrence, South Dakota· Built 1998· Earth· 380 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1998 and is 28 years old. Its primary use is tailings. 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 380 ft (taller than 100% in SD)
Dam Length2,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage20.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.1K acre-ft
Surface Area304 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1998 (28 years old)
NID IDSD02255

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 6, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam?

Grizzly Gulch Tailings 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 Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam?

Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam is owned by HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam built?

Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam was completed in 1998, making it 28 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 Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam?

Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam?

Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam has a dam height of 380 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 Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam last inspected?

Grizzly Gulch Tailings Dam was last inspected on September 6, 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.