George Merickson Dam 1 dam
George Merickson Dam 1
George Merickson Dam 1, located in Butte, South Dakota, stands as a testament to engineering excellence and water resource management. Built in 1955, this earth dam spans 1000 feet and reaches a height of 28 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 504 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Crooked Oak Creek, serves the primary purpose of regulating water flow and providing essential water resources to the surrounding area.
Managed by a private entity, George Merickson Dam 1 is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's importance in water management cannot be understated, as it plays a crucial role in controlling water flow and mitigating potential flooding risks in the region. Additionally, the dam is equipped with emergency action plans and measures to respond effectively to any unforeseen events, further highlighting its commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety.
Overall, George Merickson Dam 1 stands as a vital infrastructure project that exemplifies the harmonious relationship between water resource management, climate resilience, and community well-being. Its strategic location, efficient design, and adherence to regulatory standards underscore its significance in ensuring sustainable water supply and environmental protection for the residents of Butte, South Dakota.
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 George Merickson Dam 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche R Near Fruitdale Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Inlet Canal Above Belle Fourche Reservoir Sd | 53 cfs | → |
| Redwater River Above Belle Fourche Sd | 45 cfs | → |
| Whitewood Creek Near Whitewood Sd | 9 cfs | → |
| Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near George Merickson Dam 1.
Campgrounds
- Rocky Point State Rec Area
- Mountain View Campground
- Spearfish City Campground
- Chris' Campground
- Spearfish City City Campground
- Whitewood Campground
Track George Merickson 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 George Merickson Dam 1
Where does the data for George Merickson 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 George Merickson Dam 1.