Glen Baker Dam dam
Glen Baker Dam
Nestled in the picturesque Lawrence County of South Dakota, the Glen Baker Dam stands as a testament to both the beauty of the region and the importance of water resource management. Completed in 1962, this private-owned Earth dam spans 630 feet across the Polo Creek, providing essential water storage of up to 147 acre-feet for the surrounding area. With a maximum discharge capacity of 2984 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and preventing potential flooding events.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Glen Baker Dam is subject to state regulations and inspections, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. Despite its modest height of 25 feet, the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential. While its current condition is noted as "Not Rated," the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, safeguarding the local community and environment from water-related risks.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, structures like the Glen Baker Dam become increasingly vital in managing water levels and mitigating potential hazards. With its rich history and ongoing commitment to safety and regulation, the Glen Baker Dam stands as a symbol of responsible water management in the heart of South Dakota's scenic landscape.
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 Glen Baker Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whitewood Cr Above Whitewood | 9 cfs | → |
| Deadwood Creek At Central City | 1 cfs | → |
| Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd | 48 cfs | → |
| Whitewood Creek Near Whitewood Sd | 6 cfs | → |
| Bear Butte Creek Near Deadwood | 1 cfs | → |
| Annie Creek Near Lead | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Glen Baker Dam.
Boat launches
- Fishing Access Road Butte County
- Jenney Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access
- Fsr 450 Pennington County
- Pennington County
- Deerfield Cove Road Pennington County
Campgrounds
- Whitewood Campground
- Mountain View Campground
- Chris' Campground
- Spearfish City City Campground
- Spearfish City Campground
- Strawberry Picnic & Tent Camping Area
Track Glen Baker 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 Glen Baker Dam
Where does the data for Glen Baker 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 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 Glen Baker Dam.