Pothast Dam

TR. RUDY CREEK· Ziebach, South Dakota· Built 2003· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Pothast Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2003 and is 23 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 85.2% in SD)
Dam Length470 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage76 acre-ft
Normal Storage38 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Max Discharge880 cfs
Year Completed2003 (23 years old)
NID IDSD02535

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 26, 2005
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

WILLIAM POTHAST

Private

Nearby Dams

Mcclellan Bros.

Ziebach, SD

Low Hazard 25 ft

Hickman No.1

Ziebach, SD

Low Hazard 29 ft

Hickman No.2

Ziebach, SD

Low Hazard 32 ft

M. Schatz No.1

Ziebach, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

M. Schatz No.2

Ziebach, SD

Low Hazard 18 ft

M. Kelley No.1

Ziebach, SD

Low Hazard 18 ft

M. Schatz No.1

Ziebach, SD

Low Hazard 20 ft

D. Schrempp

Dewey, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pothast Dam?

Pothast 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 Pothast Dam?

Pothast Dam is owned by WILLIAM POTHAST (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pothast Dam built?

Pothast Dam was completed in 2003, making it 23 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 Pothast Dam?

Pothast 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 Pothast Dam?

Pothast Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Pothast Dam last inspected?

Pothast Dam was last inspected on October 26, 2005. 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.