Nelson Dam

DRY CREEK· Meade, South Dakota· Built 2001· Earth· 34 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Nelson Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2001 and is 25 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 93.1% in SD)
Dam Length530 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage255 acre-ft
Normal Storage155 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Max Discharge4,720 cfs
Year Completed2001 (25 years old)
NID IDSD02488

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: April 16, 2002
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

JAMES S. NELSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Herford Lake

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 28 ft

Phillips Dam

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 22 ft

Ronald Philips Dam No.1

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 29 ft

Earl Mcpherson Dam No.1

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 30 ft

Mooney 1

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 15 ft

E.J. Mooney Dam No.1

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 32 ft

George Levin Dam No.1

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 10 ft

Curlew

Meade, SD

Low Hazard 43 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nelson Dam?

Nelson 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 Nelson Dam?

Nelson Dam is owned by JAMES S. NELSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nelson Dam built?

Nelson Dam was completed in 2001, making it 25 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 Nelson Dam?

Nelson Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, 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 Nelson Dam?

Nelson Dam has a dam height of 34 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 Nelson Dam last inspected?

Nelson Dam was last inspected on April 16, 2002. 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.