Thompson Dam

TR BAD RIVER· Lyman, South Dakota· Built 2010· Earth· 23 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Thompson Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2010 and is 16 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 49.8% in SD)
Dam Length292 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage74 acre-ft
Normal Storage33 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,080 cfs
Year Completed2010 (16 years old)
NID IDSD02580

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

W. MATT THOMPSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thompson Dam?

Thompson 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 Thompson Dam?

Thompson Dam is owned by W. MATT THOMPSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thompson Dam built?

Thompson Dam was completed in 2010, making it 16 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 Thompson Dam?

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

Thompson Dam has a dam height of 23 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.