Owanka 1

TR-BOXELDER CREEK· Pennington, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 28 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Owanka 1 is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 77.7% in SD)
Dam Length690 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage257 acre-ft
Normal Storage54 acre-ft
Max Discharge450 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD00993

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: November 16, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Elmer Olsen

Pennington, SD

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Wicksville 1

Pennington, SD

Low Hazard 31 ft

Sd Noname 105

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Low Hazard 21 ft

Shyne 1

Pennington, SD

Low Hazard 25 ft

Sd Noname 20

Pennington, SD

Low Hazard 23 ft

Sd Noname 111

Pennington, SD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Glen Lakner

Pennington, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Boydston Dam

Pennington, SD

Low Hazard 12 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Owanka 1?

Owanka 1 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 Owanka 1?

Owanka 1 is owned by S&PL (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Owanka 1 built?

Owanka 1 was completed in 1935, making it 91 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 Owanka 1?

Owanka 1 serves the following purposes: Recreation, 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 Owanka 1?

Owanka 1 has a dam height of 28 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 Owanka 1 last inspected?

Owanka 1 was last inspected on November 16, 2023. 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.