Merlin Mader Dam 1 dam
Merlin Mader Dam 1
Merlin Mader Dam 1, located in Sioux County, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for flood risk reduction along the TR-Indian Creek. Completed in 1961, this Earth-type dam stands at 21 feet in height and spans a length of 595 feet, with a storage capacity of 151 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to ensure its structural integrity and safety measures are up to standard.
The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving as a vital infrastructure piece in the region's water resource management. With a normal storage capacity of 115 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 286 cubic feet per second, Merlin Mader Dam 1 plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Although its condition assessment is currently not rated, regular inspections are conducted to monitor the dam's performance and address any maintenance needs to uphold its functionality.
The dam's location in Ardmore, South Dakota, within the Omaha District, highlights its significance in mitigating flood risks for the local community. With its stone core and soil foundation, Merlin Mader Dam 1 showcases the collaborative efforts between private ownership and government agencies in safeguarding water resources and enhancing climate resilience in the region.
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 Merlin Mader Dam 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd | · | → |
| Fall R At Hot Springs Sd | 35 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne River Near Spencer | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Merlin Mader Dam 1.
Boat launches
- County Highway 6d Fall River County
- Sheps Canyon Road Fall River County
- Whitney Lake
- South Boat Ramp Road Fall River County
- Fall River County
Campgrounds
- Toadstool
- Toadstool Geological Park And Campground
- Soldier Creek
- Fort Robinson State Park
- Crawford City Park
- Angostura State Rec Area
Paddle runs
Track Merlin Mader Dam 1 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 Merlin Mader Dam 1
Where does the data for Merlin Mader Dam 1 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 Merlin Mader Dam 1.