Nels (Nid)

DRY DRAW· Lyman, South Dakota· Built 1938· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Nels (Nid) is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 24.1% in SD)
Dam Length540 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage140 acre-ft
Normal Storage140 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge410 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDSD01108

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
Last Inspection: October 12, 2006
State Regulated: No
Regulatory Agency: DENR

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Mallard Dam

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 20 ft

Petersen Dam

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 11 ft

William Smith

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Low Hazard 24 ft

Williams 783

Stanley, SD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Williams No 3 (Nid)

Stanley, SD

Low Hazard 23 ft

Double Dam

Stanley, SD

Low Hazard 21 ft

Alkali (Nid)

Lyman, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Carl Hansen

Stanley, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nels (Nid)?

Nels (Nid) 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 Nels (Nid)?

Nels (Nid) is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nels (Nid) built?

Nels (Nid) was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Nels (Nid)?

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

How tall is Nels (Nid)?

Nels (Nid) 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.

When was Nels (Nid) last inspected?

Nels (Nid) was last inspected on October 12, 2006. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.