William Olson

TR-SULPHUR CREEK· Meade, South Dakota· Built 1953· Earth· 23 ft tall

Key Takeaway

William Olson is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 49.8% in SD)
Dam Length690 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage208 acre-ft
Normal Storage160 acre-ft
Max Discharge2,080 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDSD02120

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

WILLIAM OLSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of William Olson?

William Olson 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 William Olson?

William Olson is owned by WILLIAM OLSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was William Olson built?

William Olson was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 William Olson?

William Olson serves the following purposes: 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 William Olson?

William Olson has a dam height of 23 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.