Joes Spreader Dam

TR-LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER· Harding, South Dakota· Built 1951· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Joes Spreader Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 1.1% in SD)
Dam Length725 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage58 acre-ft
Normal Storage46 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,200 cfs
Year Completed1951 (75 years old)
NID IDSD01438

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

PAINTERS INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Joes Spreader Dam?

Joes Spreader Dam 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 Joes Spreader Dam?

Joes Spreader Dam is owned by PAINTERS INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Joes Spreader Dam built?

Joes Spreader Dam was completed in 1951, making it 75 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 Joes Spreader Dam?

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

How tall is Joes Spreader Dam?

Joes Spreader Dam has a dam height of 10 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.