Jensen Number 8

TR COTTWOOD OFFSTREAM· Mellette, South Dakota· Built 1962· Earth· 30 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Jensen Number 8 is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 85.2% in SD)
Dam Length596 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage44 acre-ft
Normal Storage31 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,450 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDSD01252

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

WM JENSEN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jensen Number 8?

Jensen Number 8 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 Jensen Number 8?

Jensen Number 8 is owned by WM JENSEN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jensen Number 8 built?

Jensen Number 8 was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Jensen Number 8?

Jensen Number 8 serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Jensen Number 8?

Jensen Number 8 has a dam height of 30 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.