Tennyson Dam
Key Takeaway
Tennyson Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD) |
| Dam Length | 1,760 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 535 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 200 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 760 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
| NID ID | SD01072 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
S&PL
State Government
Nearby Dams
Quinn Twp Dam
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 16 ftJoe Papousek
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 16 ftQuinn Dam
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 17 ftDonald Kelly Dam
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 16 ftBud Bloom
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 18 ftTony Krebs
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 14 ftWhitewater North Site #1
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 11 ftJohnson
Pennington, SD
Low Hazard 19 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Tennyson Dam?
Tennyson 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 Tennyson Dam?
Tennyson Dam is owned by S&PL (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Tennyson Dam built?
Tennyson Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Tennyson Dam?
Tennyson 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 Tennyson Dam?
Tennyson 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 Tennyson Dam last inspected?
Tennyson Dam was last inspected on October 3, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.