Lakota

IRON CREEK· Custer, South Dakota· Built 1962· Earth· 42 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Lakota is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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	42 ft (taller than 97.3% in SD)
Dam Length	410 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	705 acre-ft
Normal Storage	229 acre-ft

Max Discharge	2,610 cfs
Year Completed	1962 (64 years old)
NID ID	SD01136

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: September 27, 2019

State Regulated: No

Regulatory Agency: DENR

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Center Lake Dam

Custer, SD

High Hazard 56 ft

Horsethief Lake

Pennington, SD

High Hazard 62 ft

Legion Lake Dam

Custer, SD

High Hazard 38 ft

Sheridan Lake

Pennington, SD

High Hazard 134 ft

Bismark Lake

Custer, SD

High Hazard 38 ft

Stockade Lake Dam

Custer, SD

High Hazard 53 ft

Mitchell Lake

Pennington, SD

High Hazard 26 ft

Sylvan Lake Dam

Custer, SD

High Hazard 37 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lakota?

Lakota 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 Lakota?

Lakota is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lakota built?

Lakota was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Lakota?

Lakota serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lakota?

Lakota has a dam height of 42 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 Lakota last inspected?

Lakota was last inspected on September 27, 2019. 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.