Shaeffer Dam

TR VERMILLION RIVER· McCook, South Dakota· Built 2008· Earth· 30 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Shaeffer Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2008 and is 18 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 85.2% in SD)
Dam Length297 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage58 acre-ft
Normal Storage34 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Max Discharge655 cfs
Year Completed2008 (18 years old)
NID IDSD02549

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

JAMES SHAEFFER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Shaeffer Dam?

Shaeffer 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 Shaeffer Dam?

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

When was Shaeffer Dam built?

Shaeffer Dam was completed in 2008, making it 18 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 Shaeffer Dam?

Shaeffer 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 Shaeffer Dam?

Shaeffer 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.

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.