Snow Dam

WHITE RIVER OFF STREAM· Tripp, South Dakota· Built 1934· Earth· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Snow Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 49.8% in SD)
Dam Length980 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage548 acre-ft
Surface Area102 acres
Drainage Area31 sq mi
Max Discharge4,016 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDSD00558

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 19, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Snow Dam?

Snow 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 Snow Dam?

Snow Dam is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Snow Dam built?

Snow Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Snow Dam?

Snow 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 Snow Dam?

Snow Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Snow Dam last inspected?

Snow Dam was last inspected on October 19, 2017. 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.