May Dam

POTATO CREEK· Jackson, South Dakota· Built 1947· Earth· 24 ft tall

Key Takeaway

May Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 53.3% in SD)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage125 acre-ft
Normal Storage75 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,500 cfs
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDSD02133

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

MAY & SONS INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of May Dam?

May 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 May Dam?

May Dam is owned by MAY & SONS INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was May Dam built?

May Dam was completed in 1947, making it 79 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 May Dam?

May 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 May Dam?

May 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.

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.