Sundell Dam

SAND CREEK· Tripp, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Sundell Dam 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 Length1,260 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage240 acre-ft
Normal Storage224 acre-ft
Max Discharge2,160 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD00557

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: December 21, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Foster Dam

Todd, SD

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R. Hanson Dam

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 15 ft

Sargent Irrigation Dam

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Low Hazard 67 ft

Copeland Dam

Todd, SD

Low Hazard 24 ft

Worth Dam

Keya Paha, NE

Low Hazard 13 ft

C Mccormick Dam

Todd, SD

Low Hazard 16 ft

Benson Dam

Tripp, SD

Low Hazard 35 ft

C Klein Dam

Todd, SD

Low Hazard 20 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sundell Dam?

Sundell 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 Sundell Dam?

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

When was Sundell Dam built?

Sundell Dam 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 Sundell Dam?

Sundell 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 Sundell Dam?

Sundell Dam 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 Sundell Dam last inspected?

Sundell Dam was last inspected on December 21, 2023. 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.