Zell Lake Dam

Dove Creek· Faulk, South Dakota· Built 1930· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Zell Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in South Dakota. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 1.9% in SD)
Dam Length560 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage480 acre-ft
Normal Storage368 acre-ft
Surface Area100 acres
Max Discharge2,220 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDSD00662

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 21, 2020
State Regulated: No
Regulatory Agency: DENR

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Zell Lake Dam?

Zell Lake 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 Zell Lake Dam?

Zell Lake Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Zell Lake Dam built?

Zell Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Zell Lake Dam?

Zell Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Zell Lake Dam?

Zell Lake Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Zell Lake Dam last inspected?

Zell Lake Dam was last inspected on October 21, 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.