Herrick Lake

TR-PONCA CK· Gregory, South Dakota· Built 1937· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Herrick Lake is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage255 acre-ft
Normal Storage150 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge860 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDSD00549

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: November 12, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Herrick Lake?

Herrick Lake 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 Herrick Lake?

Herrick Lake is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Herrick Lake built?

Herrick Lake was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Herrick Lake?

Herrick Lake 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 Herrick Lake?

Herrick Lake has a dam height of 20 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 Herrick Lake last inspected?

Herrick Lake was last inspected on November 12, 2020. 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.