King Dam

TRIB. WHITE RIVER· Tripp, South Dakota· Built 1996· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

King Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1996 and is 30 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length510 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage152 acre-ft
Normal Storage65 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge960 cfs
Year Completed1996 (30 years old)
NID IDSD00538

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 17, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Pauli Dam

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 30 ft

Bloom

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Snavely No. 1

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 25 ft

Snavely No. 2

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

Linker Dam

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Hoffman Dam

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Charles Heller

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 26 ft

Jim Schuyler

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 30 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of King Dam?

King 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 King Dam?

King Dam is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was King Dam built?

King Dam was completed in 1996, making it 30 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 King Dam?

King Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, 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 King Dam?

King Dam has a dam height of 25 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 King Dam last inspected?

King Dam was last inspected on November 17, 2020. 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.