Merkel

TR MOREAU· Dewey, South Dakota· Built 1941· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Merkel is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1941 and is 85 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 24.1% in SD)
Dam Length800 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,600 cfs
Year Completed1941 (85 years old)
NID IDSD01697

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

LOUIS MERKEL

Private

Nearby Dams

Mike Welder

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H. Hulm

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Jones

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Maciejewski #2

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Low Hazard 18 ft

Pius Aberle

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Gerald Martian

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Trail City Dam

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F. Macijewske

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Low Hazard 22 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Merkel?

Merkel 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 Merkel?

Merkel is owned by LOUIS MERKEL (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Merkel built?

Merkel was completed in 1941, making it 85 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 Merkel?

Merkel 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 Merkel?

Merkel has a dam height of 18 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.