Lake Pahoja Dam dam
Lake Pahoja Dam
Lake Pahoja Dam in Lyon County, Iowa, is a significant earth dam completed in 1974 by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. With a structural height of 50 feet and a length of 1305 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 2283 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 71.5 acres. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated on TR-Klondike Creek, the Lake Pahoja Dam poses a moderate risk level, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2016. The dam's hazard potential is classified as significant, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to prevent any potential risks. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and moderate risk assessment, the dam serves as a crucial resource for fire protection, stock, and recreational purposes, contributing to the local community's water supply and ecosystem.
The presence of Lake Pahoja Dam in Canton, SD, underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience. As a key infrastructure owned by the local government and designed by the USDA NRCS, the dam plays a vital role in water storage, flood control, and recreational activities in the region. By adhering to state regulations and conducting regular inspections, Lake Pahoja Dam stands as a testament to effective dam engineering and management practices in ensuring water security and environmental sustainability.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lake Pahoja Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River Near Rock Valley | 784 cfs | → |
| Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids | 173 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd | 37 cfs | → |
| Split Rock Cr At Corson Sd | 16 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd | 302 cfs | → |
| Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Pahoja Dam.
Boat launches
- Copperwood Court Lincoln County
- 310th Street Sioux County
- Split Rock Park Road Garretson
- Wall Lake Boat Ramp
Track Lake Pahoja Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lake Pahoja Dam
Where does the data for Lake Pahoja Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lake Pahoja Dam.