Tisdale Lake

LONE TREE CREEK· Meade, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Water Supply State Government

Key Takeaway

Tisdale Lake 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 30 ft (taller than 85.2% in SD)
Dam Length1,090 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage310 acre-ft
Normal Storage230 acre-ft
Surface Area28 acres
Max Discharge3,000 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD01056

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: November 18, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Tisdale Lake?

Tisdale Lake 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 Tisdale Lake?

Tisdale Lake is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Tisdale Lake built?

Tisdale Lake 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 Tisdale Lake?

Tisdale Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Tisdale Lake?

Tisdale Lake 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.

When was Tisdale Lake last inspected?

Tisdale Lake was last inspected on November 18, 2020. 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.