South Dam

TRIBUTARY CHEYENNE RIVER· Fall River, South Dakota· Built 1942· Earth· 29 ft tall

Key Takeaway

South Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 82.6% in SD)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage464 acre-ft
Normal Storage370 acre-ft
Max Discharge840 cfs
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
NID IDSD01390

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

A.J. BARTA RANCH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of South Dam?

South 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 South Dam?

South Dam is owned by A.J. BARTA RANCH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was South Dam built?

South Dam was completed in 1942, making it 84 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 South Dam?

South Dam serves the following purposes: 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 South Dam?

South Dam has a dam height of 29 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.