Lake Hanson

TR-JAMES· Hanson, South Dakota· Built 1932· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Hanson is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1932 and is 94 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 53.3% in SD)
Dam Length780 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage340 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Max Discharge420 cfs
Year Completed1932 (94 years old)
Year Modified1996
NID IDSD00691

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, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Hanson?

Lake Hanson 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 Lake Hanson?

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

When was Lake Hanson built?

Lake Hanson was completed in 1932, making it 94 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 Lake Hanson?

Lake Hanson serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Hanson?

Lake Hanson 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 Lake Hanson last inspected?

Lake Hanson was last inspected on November 3, 2022. 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.