Wells Dam

TR-MISSOURI· Brule, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Wells 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 30 ft (taller than 85.2% in SD)
Dam Length610 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,260 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD00718

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: October 2, 2010
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Nearby Dams

Gruenig Dam

Brule, SD

Significant Hazard 20 ft

Sladek Dam

Brule, SD

Low Hazard 26 ft

Beal Dam

Buffalo, SD

Low Hazard 25 ft

Disseau Dam 2

Brule, SD

Significant Hazard 25 ft

Dusseau Dam

Brule, SD

Significant Hazard 26 ft

Turgeon Dam

Brule, SD

Significant Hazard 26 ft

Mayer Dam

Buffalo, SD

Low Hazard 19 ft

Mayer Dam

Buffalo, SD

Low Hazard 19 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wells Dam?

Wells 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 Wells Dam?

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

When was Wells Dam built?

Wells 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 Wells Dam?

Wells Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, 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 Wells Dam?

Wells Dam 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 Wells Dam last inspected?

Wells Dam was last inspected on October 2, 2010. 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.