Hand

TR MOREAU· Dewey, South Dakota· Built 1946· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Hand is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1946 and is 80 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 20.2% in SD)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage88 acre-ft
Normal Storage48 acre-ft
Max Discharge600 cfs
Year Completed1946 (80 years old)
NID IDSD01715

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

GROVER HAND

Private

Nearby Dams

G. Hand

Dewey, SD

Low Hazard 17 ft

H. Harrison

Dewey, SD

Low Hazard 19 ft

H. Chamberlin

Dewey, SD

Low Hazard 22 ft

I. Molstad

Dewey, SD

Low Hazard 23 ft

A.W. Spiry

Walworth, SD

Low Hazard 26 ft

Schillingstad-Scholzen

Walworth, SD

Low Hazard 45 ft

Mortenson Dam

Walworth, SD

Low Hazard 27 ft

A.W. Spiry

Walworth, SD

Low Hazard 25 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hand?

Hand 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 Hand?

Hand is owned by GROVER HAND (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hand built?

Hand was completed in 1946, making it 80 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 Hand?

Hand 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 Hand?

Hand has a dam height of 17 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.