Williams Dam

TRIBUTARY HORSEHEAD CREEK· Fall River, South Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Williams 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 15 ft (taller than 11.1% in SD)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage135 acre-ft
Normal Storage99 acre-ft
Max Discharge286 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDSD00646

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: November 4, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

GF&P

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Williams Dam?

Williams 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 Williams Dam?

Williams Dam is owned by GF&P (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Williams Dam built?

Williams 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 Williams Dam?

Williams 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 Williams Dam?

Williams Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Williams Dam last inspected?

Williams Dam was last inspected on November 4, 2020. 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.