Quirk Dam

TR-MISSOURI· Hyde, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 31 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Quirk Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 31 ft (taller than 88.8% in SD)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage744 acre-ft
Normal Storage384 acre-ft
Max Discharge7,000 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD00282

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

HELEN A. QUIRK

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Quirk Dam?

Quirk 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 Quirk Dam?

Quirk Dam is owned by HELEN A. QUIRK (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Quirk Dam built?

Quirk Dam was completed in 1935, making it 91 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 Quirk Dam?

Quirk 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 Quirk Dam?

Quirk Dam has a dam height of 31 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.

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.