Velda Ramser Dam

MILL IRON CREEK· Lyman, South Dakota· Built 1994· Earth· 21 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Velda Ramser Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1994 and is 32 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 40.7% in SD)
Dam Length540 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage380 acre-ft
Normal Storage72 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge2,825 cfs
Year Completed1994 (32 years old)
NID IDSD02382

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

DAKOTA DAGOBA, LLC (PAUL BARBER)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Velda Ramser Dam?

Velda Ramser 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 Velda Ramser Dam?

Velda Ramser Dam is owned by DAKOTA DAGOBA, LLC (PAUL BARBER) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Velda Ramser Dam built?

Velda Ramser Dam was completed in 1994, making it 32 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 Velda Ramser Dam?

Velda Ramser Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Velda Ramser Dam?

Velda Ramser Dam has a dam height of 21 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.