Kolb Dam

WILLOW CREEK· McPherson, South Dakota· Built 1960· Earth· 9 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Kolb Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 0.7% in SD)
Dam Length831 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage248 acre-ft
Normal Storage41 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area35 sq mi
Max Discharge2,000 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
Year Modified1999
NID IDSD02453

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

MELVIN KOLB

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kolb Dam?

Kolb 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 Kolb Dam?

Kolb Dam is owned by MELVIN KOLB (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kolb Dam built?

Kolb Dam 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 Kolb Dam?

Kolb 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 Kolb Dam?

Kolb Dam has a dam height of 9 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.