Lake Shaokatan dam
Lake Shaokatan
Lake Shaokatan, located in Lincoln County, Minnesota, is a stunning reservoir along the Yellow Medicine River with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1917. This local government-owned lake serves multiple purposes beyond just water storage, with a gravity dam standing at a height of 6 feet and a length of 98 feet. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 408 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 994 acres, making it a significant water resource in the region.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lake Shaokatan is regularly inspected and regulated to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of May 2018, the lake poses minimal risks to its surroundings. Additionally, its location near Ivanhoe and the Omaha District offers a picturesque setting for water and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the beauty of this historic reservoir. As a vital component of the local water infrastructure, Lake Shaokatan plays a crucial role in supporting the environmental and recreational needs of the community.
Despite its modest size in terms of drainage area and discharge capacity, Lake Shaokatan remains a valuable asset for the region, providing essential water resources for various purposes. With a focus on safety and regulatory compliance, the dam and reservoir continue to be well-maintained to meet the needs of the community. For those passionate about water resources and climate sustainability, Lake Shaokatan offers a unique opportunity to witness the intersection of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship in action.
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 Shaokatan -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood River Near Marshall | 20 cfs | → |
| Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd | 280 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Bruce | 250 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R Near Castlewood Sd | 82 cfs | → |
| Lac Qui Parle River Near Lac Qui Parle | 203 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Shaokatan.
Boat launches
- Picnic Point Road Lincoln County
- County Road 14 1104, Lincoln County
- West Cottage Avenue Hendricks
- Brookings County
- Deuel County
- Sunset Road Brookings County
Track Lake Shaokatan 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 Shaokatan
Where does the data for Lake Shaokatan 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 Low 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 Shaokatan.