John Alley

TR-BLACK HORSE CREEK· Jackson, South Dakota· Built 1946· Earth· 16 ft tall

Key Takeaway

John Alley 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 16 ft (taller than 15.7% in SD)
Dam Length670 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage128 acre-ft
Normal Storage51 acre-ft
Max Discharge4,840 cfs
Year Completed1946 (80 years old)
NID IDSD00742

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

ROBERT ALLEY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of John Alley?

John Alley 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 John Alley?

John Alley is owned by ROBERT ALLEY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was John Alley built?

John Alley 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 John Alley?

John Alley 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 John Alley?

John Alley has a dam height of 16 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.