Wolff Lake

TR-SPRING CREEK· McPherson, South Dakota· Built 1938· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply State Government

Key Takeaway

Wolff Lake is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.7% in SD)
Dam Length1,200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage285 acre-ft
Normal Storage116 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge2,628 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDSD00667

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: May 31, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DANR

Ownership

S&PL

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wolff Lake?

Wolff Lake 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 Wolff Lake?

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

When was Wolff Lake built?

Wolff Lake was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Wolff Lake?

Wolff Lake serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wolff Lake?

Wolff Lake has a dam height of 20 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 Wolff Lake last inspected?

Wolff Lake was last inspected on May 31, 2017. 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.