Rosehill Dam Included as part of a Stream Restoration Project

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) announced that a reconstruction project involving the Rosehill Dam, located in Hand County, will not be completed and that the agency will instead pursue a stream restoration in the project area.

Last May, an appeal process was completed by the Federal Emergency Management Area (FEMA) with the intent that GFP would move forward on reconstructing the Rosehill Dam. Now, due to the latest cost estimates of this project set at $5.7 million, funding the reconstruction of the dam and spillway is not feasible.

“The site has not been altered since the breach occurred in July 2010,” stated Leslie Murphy, GFP environmental review coordinator. “Work will need to be accomplished on the remaining dam structure, downstream of the structure, and possibly above the structure to restore the area to natural conditions and eliminate the safety hazards that currently exist.”

For additional information, please contact Leslie Murphy at 605.773.6208.