Joy Dam

LITTLE WOLF CREEK· Hand, South Dakota· Built 1999· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Joy Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1999 and is 27 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 24.1% in SD)
Dam Length470 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage332 acre-ft
Normal Storage81 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area29 sq mi
Max Discharge2,480 cfs
Year Completed1999 (27 years old)
NID IDSD02448

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 3, 1999
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

RICHARD JOY

Private

Nearby Dams

Lake Louise

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R. Allgaier

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Low Hazard 23 ft

R. Paine

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Low Hazard 28 ft

B. Deuter

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Low Hazard 25 ft

W. Venjohn

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Low Hazard 17 ft

Lake Dakotah

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Ankony Ranch INC

Hyde, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

So Hand Grazing Assn

Hyde, SD

Low Hazard 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Joy Dam?

Joy 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 Joy Dam?

Joy Dam is owned by RICHARD JOY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Joy Dam built?

Joy Dam was completed in 1999, making it 27 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 Joy Dam?

Joy Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, 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 Joy Dam?

Joy Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Joy Dam last inspected?

Joy Dam was last inspected on November 3, 1999. 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.