Big Bend Dam dam
Big Bend Dam
Big Bend Dam, also known as Lake Sharpe, is a federal-owned structure located in Chamberlain, South Dakota, along the Missouri River. Completed in 1963, the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, navigation, and recreation. With a structural height of 95 feet and a hydraulic height of 78 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1.9 million acre-feet and a surface area of 60,000 acres.
Despite its reliable flood risk reduction capabilities, Big Bend Dam faces a high hazard potential due to the risk of overtopping during extreme flood events. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has implemented ongoing risk management measures, including regular monitoring, maintenance, and repairs, as well as working with state and local agencies to improve emergency preparedness and public awareness of flood risks. Following significant flooding in 2011, additional measures such as enhanced foundation monitoring, upgrades to drainage systems, and repairs to the spillway have been completed to mitigate potential risks.
Communities downstream of Big Bend Dam are advised to stay informed about flood forecasts, evacuation plans, and emergency actions to reduce individual risks. USACE continues to evaluate ways to further reduce risks associated with the dam and encourages public engagement in water management in the Missouri River basin. For more information on the USACE Dam Safety Program and risk assessments, visit: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Dam-Safety-Program.
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 Big Bend Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White R Near Oacoma Sd | 131 cfs | → |
| Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Bend Dam.
Boat launches
- Lyman County
- Oacoma
- East Glenn Avenue 309, Chamberlain
- Chaney Rush Road Hughes County
- Joe Creek Boat Ramp
- 312th Avenue Hughes County
Track Big Bend 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 Big Bend Dam
Where does the data for Big Bend 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 High 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 Big Bend Dam.