Mendel Dam

TRIB. JAMES RIVER· Hutchinson, South Dakota· Built 1976· Earth· 36 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Mendel Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1976 and is 50 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 94.9% in SD)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage700 acre-ft
Normal Storage455 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Max Discharge5,400 cfs
Year Completed1976 (50 years old)
NID IDSD02312

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

CLINTON BAUER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mendel Dam?

Mendel 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 Mendel Dam?

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

When was Mendel Dam built?

Mendel Dam was completed in 1976, making it 50 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 Mendel Dam?

Mendel Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mendel Dam?

Mendel Dam has a dam height of 36 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.