Werdel West Dam

Elm Creek-TR· Hand, South Dakota· Built 2008· Earth· 40 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Werdel West Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 2008 and is 18 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 96.5% in SD)
Dam Length1,200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage265 acre-ft
Normal Storage196 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge675 cfs
Year Completed2008 (18 years old)
NID IDSD02661

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

PJ Werdel & Sons Inc

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Werdel West Dam?

Werdel West 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 Werdel West Dam?

Werdel West Dam is owned by PJ Werdel & Sons Inc (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Werdel West Dam built?

Werdel West Dam was completed in 2008, making it 18 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 Werdel West Dam?

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

How tall is Werdel West Dam?

Werdel West Dam has a dam height of 40 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.