Herford Lake dam
Herford Lake
Herford Lake, located in Meade, South Dakota, is a privately-owned earth dam built in 1935 with a height of 28 feet and a length of 590 feet. The dam serves the purpose of regulating flow on Dry Creek, with a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 88 acre-feet. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The lake, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1200 cubic feet per second, provides a vital water resource for the region. Its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities make it a popular spot for water and climate enthusiasts to visit and appreciate the importance of sustainable water management practices. While the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, its emergency action plan status and risk management measures are not specified in the available data, leaving room for further exploration and evaluation by interested parties.
With its historical significance and ecological impact on the area, Herford Lake stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing and preserving water resources for the benefit of communities and the environment. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water availability and quality, understanding the role of such structures in water management becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring resilience and sustainability in the face of a changing climate. Enthusiasts and stakeholders can appreciate Herford Lake not just for its recreational value, but also for its contribution to the broader conversation on water resource management and climate adaptation.
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 Herford Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd | 148 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs | 138 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd | 15 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Bl Sewage Treatment Pl Nr Rapid City | 40 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr At Rapid City Sd | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Herford Lake.
Campgrounds
- Ellsworth Afb Military
- Little Jon Park
- Rapid City - Black Hills Koa
- Central States Fairgrounds
- Bear Butte State Park
- Horsecamp, Camp Site
Track Herford 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 Herford Lake
Where does the data for Herford 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 Herford Lake.