Johnson Dam

TRIB. SPRING CREEK· Charles Mix, South Dakota· Built 1972· Earth· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Johnson Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage340 acre-ft
Normal Storage170 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Max Discharge1,600 cfs
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDSD02393

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

WALLACE JOHNSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Johnson Dam?

Johnson 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 Johnson Dam?

Johnson Dam is owned by WALLACE JOHNSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Johnson Dam built?

Johnson Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Johnson Dam?

Johnson Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, 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 Johnson Dam?

Johnson Dam 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.

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.