Quinn Dam

TR-BAD RIVER· Pennington, South Dakota· Built 1937· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Quinn 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 17 ft (taller than 20.2% in SD)
Dam Length1,040 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage865 acre-ft
Normal Storage284 acre-ft
Surface Area87 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge1,770 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDSD01073

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: March 14, 1986
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

PAPOUSEK

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Quinn Dam?

Quinn 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 Quinn Dam?

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

When was Quinn Dam built?

Quinn 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 Quinn Dam?

Quinn 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 Quinn Dam?

Quinn Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Quinn Dam last inspected?

Quinn Dam was last inspected on March 14, 1986. 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.