Nelson Dam is an earth dam located in Meade County, South Dakota, built in 2001. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 34 ft34 ft tall and 530 ft long, taller than 78% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Nelson Dam
The primary purpose of Nelson Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by James S. Nelson (private). It impounds the Dry Creek.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 530 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 255 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 2001, the structure is relatively new.
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. The most recent inspection on record was 04/16/2002. That was over 24 years ago.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Meade |
| River/Stream | Dry Creek |
| Coordinates | 44.36999, -102.87169 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 530 ft |
| Year Completed | 2001 (25 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 255 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 255 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,720 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | James S. Nelson |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 04/16/2002 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SD02488 |
| Federal ID | SD02488 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |