Latham Dam

South Fork Moreau River-TR· Harding, South Dakota· Built 2017· Earth· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Latham Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2017 and is 9 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD)
Dam Length1,085 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage174 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,350 cfs
Year Completed2017 (9 years old)
NID IDSD02644

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

John Latham

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Latham Dam?

Latham 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 Latham Dam?

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

When was Latham Dam built?

Latham Dam was completed in 2017, making it 9 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 Latham Dam?

Latham Dam 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 Latham Dam?

Latham Dam has a dam height of 20 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.