Mitchell Dam

TRIB. COTTONWOOD CREEK· Ziebach, South Dakota· Built 1978· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Mitchell Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1978 and is 48 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length680 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage237 acre-ft
Normal Storage153 acre-ft
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge2,787 cfs
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)
NID IDSD02302

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

RONALD MITCHELL

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mitchell Dam?

Mitchell 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 Mitchell Dam?

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

When was Mitchell Dam built?

Mitchell Dam was completed in 1978, making it 48 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 Mitchell Dam?

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

How tall is Mitchell Dam?

Mitchell Dam has a dam height of 25 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.