Sharpings Lake dam
Sharpings Lake
Sharpings Lake is a state-regulated water resource located in Brule, South Dakota, with a primary purpose of water storage. Constructed in 1935 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 480 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has not been modified since its completion.
Managed by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), Sharpings Lake serves as a critical infrastructure for water management in the region, particularly for the city of Chamberlain. Despite its age, the dam has not been rated for its current condition, but regular inspections are conducted every three years. With a moderate risk level, measures for risk management are in place to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
The dam's location along the TR-MISSONot RatedI river system, under the jurisdiction of the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, highlights its importance for flood control and water supply. With State permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, Sharpings Lake remains a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure, contributing to the resilience and sustainability of the surrounding ecosystem.
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 Sharpings Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White R Near Oacoma Sd | 100 cfs | → |
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 0 cfs | → |
| Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| James R Near Forestburg Sd | 995 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sharpings Lake.
Boat launches
- East Glenn Avenue 309, Chamberlain
- Oacoma
- Buryanek Road Gregory County
- State Highway 44 Charles Mix County
Campgrounds
- Happy Campers Campground
- American Creek - Lake Francis Case
- West Chamberlain - Lake Francis Case
- Dude Rach Dfg
- Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe
- Right Tailrace - Coe
More reservoirs
Track Sharpings Lake 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 Sharpings Lake
Where does the data for Sharpings Lake 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 Sharpings Lake.