Pearl Lake

TR-PEARL CREEK· Hand, South Dakota· Built 1938· Earth· 23 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Pearl Lake 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 23 ft (taller than 49.8% in SD)
Dam Length720 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage184 acre-ft
Normal Storage86 acre-ft
Max Discharge3,600 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDSD00760

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: June 20, 1995
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

MERLYN PARMELY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pearl Lake?

Pearl Lake 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 Pearl Lake?

Pearl Lake is owned by MERLYN PARMELY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pearl Lake built?

Pearl Lake 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 Pearl Lake?

Pearl Lake serves the following purposes: 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 Pearl Lake?

Pearl Lake has a dam height of 23 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 Pearl Lake last inspected?

Pearl Lake was last inspected on June 20, 1995. 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.