Stern Dam

TR TIMBER CREEK· Clark, South Dakota· Built 2005· Earth· 30 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Stern Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2005 and is 21 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 85.2% in SD)
Dam Length265 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage81 acre-ft
Normal Storage48 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge588 cfs
Year Completed2005 (21 years old)
NID IDSD02550

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

MARVIN STERN

Private

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Stern Dam?

Stern 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 Stern Dam?

Stern Dam is owned by MARVIN STERN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Stern Dam built?

Stern Dam was completed in 2005, making it 21 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 Stern Dam?

Stern Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, 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 Stern Dam?

Stern 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.