Koch Dam

TRIB. CROW CREEK· Buffalo, South Dakota· Built 1934· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Koch Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 53.3% in SD)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage150 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge1,200 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
Year Modified1997
NID IDSD02427

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, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

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Abernathy Dam

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Hayes Stockwater Dam

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Knight Dam

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Low Hazard 36 ft

Olsen Dam

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Beal Stockwater Dam

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Significant Hazard 30 ft

Wooledge Dam

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Significant Hazard 26 ft

Tevedhal Dam

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Low Hazard 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Koch Dam?

Koch 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 Koch Dam?

Koch Dam is owned by S&PL (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Koch Dam built?

Koch Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Koch Dam?

Koch 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 Koch Dam?

Koch Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Koch Dam last inspected?

Koch Dam was last inspected on November 3, 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.