Trail City Dam

SNAKE CREEK· Corson, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Trail City Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 53.3% in SD)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage234 acre-ft
Surface Area78 acres
Max Discharge2,900 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD02334

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: No
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

STANDING ROCK TRIBE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Trail City Dam?

Trail City 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 Trail City Dam?

Trail City Dam is owned by STANDING ROCK TRIBE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Trail City Dam built?

Trail City 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 Trail City Dam?

Trail City Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, 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 Trail City Dam?

Trail City Dam has a dam height of 24 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.