Paulson Dam

MUD CREEK· Moody, South Dakota· Built 1997· Earth· 13 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Paulson Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1997 and is 29 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 5.1% in SD)
Dam Length563 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage151 acre-ft
Normal Storage31 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge1,120 cfs
Year Completed1997 (29 years old)
NID IDSD02487

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: May 28, 2002
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

LOREN PAULSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Paulson Dam?

Paulson 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 Paulson Dam?

Paulson Dam is owned by LOREN PAULSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Paulson Dam built?

Paulson Dam was completed in 1997, making it 29 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 Paulson Dam?

Paulson 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 Paulson Dam?

Paulson Dam has a dam height of 13 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 Paulson Dam last inspected?

Paulson Dam was last inspected on May 28, 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.