Thaden Dam

Whetstone-TR· Grant, South Dakota· Built 2018· Earth· 30 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Thaden Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2018 and is 8 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 85.2% in SD)
Dam Length194 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage19 acre-ft
Normal Storage6 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,770 cfs
Year Completed2018 (8 years old)
NID IDSD02666

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

Gerald Thaden

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thaden Dam?

Thaden 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 Thaden Dam?

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

When was Thaden Dam built?

Thaden Dam was completed in 2018, making it 8 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 Thaden Dam?

Thaden 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 Thaden Dam?

Thaden 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.