Oahe Dam

MISSOURI RIVER· Stanley, South Dakota· Built 1966· Earth·

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Irrigation Navigation Recreation Hydroelectric Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Oahe Dam is classified as high hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Length	9,300 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	23.6M acre-ft
Normal Storage	19.3M acre-ft

Surface Area	376,000 acres
Drainage Area	243,490 sq mi
Max Discharge	300,000 cfs
Year Completed	1966 (60 years old)
NID ID	SD01095

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: July 21, 2022

State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - Omaha District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Haskins Number 1

Stanley, SD

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Al Reddin

Hughes, SD

Low Hazard 20 ft

Schumacher Dam

Hughes, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

Louis Caldwell

Stanley, SD

Low Hazard 25 ft

Fourth Street Dam

Hughes, SD

High Hazard 43 ft

Capitol Lake Dam

Hughes, SD

High Hazard 27 ft

Taylor Brothers

Sully, SD

Low Hazard 18 ft

Sonnenschein Number 2

Stanley, SD

Significant Hazard 42 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Oahe Dam?

Oahe Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Oahe Dam?

Oahe Dam is owned by USACE - Omaha District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Oahe Dam built?

Oahe Dam was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Oahe Dam?

Oahe Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Navigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Oahe Dam last inspected?

Oahe Dam was last inspected on July 21, 2022. 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.