Perch Lake Dam

DRAINAGE-TR· McPherson, South Dakota· Built 1977· Earth· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Perch Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 65.2% in SD)
Dam Length350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage472 acre-ft
Normal Storage230 acre-ft
Surface Area34 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge2,292 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDSD02249

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: October 21, 2020
State Regulated: No
Regulatory Agency: DENR

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Perch Lake Dam?

Perch Lake 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 Perch Lake Dam?

Perch Lake Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Perch Lake Dam built?

Perch Lake Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Perch Lake Dam?

Perch Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Perch Lake Dam?

Perch Lake Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Perch Lake Dam last inspected?

Perch Lake Dam was last inspected on October 21, 2020. 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.