Red Owl

About Red Owl

The primary purpose of Red Owl is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Meade County (local government). It impounds the Tr-red Owl Ck. near Red Owl.

The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 540 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 260 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1937, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/18/2021.

At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The South Dakota dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.