Pigors Dam

TR-JAMES RIVER· Brown, South Dakota· Built 1937· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Pigors Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage950 acre-ft
Normal Storage350 acre-ft
Surface Area58 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge5,700 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
Year Modified2000
NID IDSD02138

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 5, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pigors Dam?

Pigors 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 Pigors Dam?

Pigors Dam is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pigors Dam built?

Pigors Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Pigors Dam?

Pigors Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Pigors Dam?

Pigors Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Pigors Dam last inspected?

Pigors Dam was last inspected on November 5, 2019. 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.