Kjerstad No.1
Key Takeaway
Kjerstad No.1 is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is fire protection. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 22 ft (taller than 45.6% in SD) |
| Dam Length | 525 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 263 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 131 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,678 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
| NID ID | SD01985 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
Nathan KJERSTAD
Private
Nearby Dams
Kjerstad Dam No.3
Pennington, SD
High Hazard 15 ftKjerstad Dam No.2
Pennington, SD
High Hazard 14 ftTony Krebs
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 14 ftFortune Dam
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 15 ftKonrad Kjerstad
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 20 ftJoe Papousek
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 16 ftSieler Dam
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 20 ftTheodore Kjerstad
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 17 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Kjerstad No.1?
Kjerstad No.1 is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Kjerstad No.1?
Kjerstad No.1 is owned by Nathan KJERSTAD (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Kjerstad No.1 built?
Kjerstad No.1 was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Kjerstad No.1?
Kjerstad No.1 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 Kjerstad No.1?
Kjerstad No.1 has a dam height of 22 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 Kjerstad No.1 last inspected?
Kjerstad No.1 was last inspected on December 19, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.