Vessey Dam

TR-GRAND RIVER· Harding, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Vessey Dam 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 21 ft (taller than 40.7% in SD)
Dam Length475 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage67 acre-ft
Normal Storage54 acre-ft
Max Discharge325 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD01208

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: December 19, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Duck Dam

Harding, SD

Significant Hazard 12 ft

Smith Spreader Dam

Harding, SD

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Drolc No.1

Harding, SD

Low Hazard 27 ft

Palczewski Dam; Frank

Bowman, ND

Low Hazard 17 ft

Washout

Harding, SD

Low Hazard 30 ft

Salt Lake Dam

Harding, SD

Significant Hazard 11 ft

Hafner Duck Lake

Harding, SD

Low Hazard 19 ft

Barn

Harding, SD

Low Hazard 20 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vessey Dam?

Vessey 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 Vessey Dam?

Vessey Dam is owned by S&PL (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Vessey Dam built?

Vessey 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 Vessey Dam?

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

How tall is Vessey Dam?

Vessey 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.

When was Vessey Dam last inspected?

Vessey Dam was last inspected on December 19, 2018. 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.