Raffensperger No. 1

TRIB. PINE CREEK· Mellette, South Dakota· Built 1965· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Raffensperger No. 1 is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 57.4% in SD)
Dam Length335 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage22 acre-ft
Normal Storage15 acre-ft
Max Discharge500 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDSD01255

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

REX RAFFLENSPERGER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Raffensperger No. 1?

Raffensperger No. 1 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 Raffensperger No. 1?

Raffensperger No. 1 is owned by REX RAFFLENSPERGER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Raffensperger No. 1 built?

Raffensperger No. 1 was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Raffensperger No. 1?

Raffensperger No. 1 serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Raffensperger No. 1?

Raffensperger No. 1 has a dam height of 25 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.