Nelson Dam

Nelson Dam is an earth dam located in Charles Mix County, South Dakota, built in 1980. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.

About Nelson Dam

The primary purpose of Nelson Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Gary & Arlo Nelson (private). It impounds the Cedar Creek-tr.

The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. Completed in 1980, the structure is 46 years old.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life.

At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.

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Low Hazard ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateSouth Dakota
CountyCharles Mix
River/StreamCedar Creek-tr
Coordinates43.29273, -98.88363

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height40 ft
Dam Height40 ft
Dam Length250 ft
Year Completed1980 (46 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage150 acre-ft
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,560 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerGARY & ARLO NELSON
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationLow
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDSD02540
Federal IDSD02540
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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