Sharpings Lake

TR-MISSOURI· Brule, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Sharpings Lake 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 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD)
Dam Length910 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage480 acre-ft
Normal Storage240 acre-ft
Max Discharge240 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD00717

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 2, 2010
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Sladek Dam

Brule, SD

Low Hazard 26 ft

Disseau Dam 2

Brule, SD

Significant Hazard 25 ft

Healy Dam

Brule, SD

Low Hazard 22 ft

Wells Dam

Brule, SD

Low Hazard 30 ft

Dusseau Dam

Brule, SD

Significant Hazard 26 ft

Busack Dam

Brule, SD

Low Hazard 27 ft

Gruenig Dam

Brule, SD

Significant Hazard 20 ft

Lake Wanalain Dam

Brule, SD

High Hazard 21 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sharpings Lake?

Sharpings Lake 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 Sharpings Lake?

Sharpings Lake is owned by S&PL (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sharpings Lake built?

Sharpings Lake 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 Sharpings Lake?

Sharpings Lake 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 Sharpings Lake?

Sharpings Lake has a dam height of 20 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 Sharpings Lake last inspected?

Sharpings Lake was last inspected on October 2, 2010. 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.