Gavins Point Dam - Yankton Dam dam
Gavins Point Dam - Yankton Dam
Gavins Point Dam, also known as Yankton Dam, is a federal structure located on the Missouri River in Yankton, South Dakota. Completed in 1958 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 74 feet and spans a length of 8700 feet. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, the dam also serves hydroelectric, irrigation, navigation, and recreation purposes, encompassing a surface area of 32,000 acres and a drainage area of 16,000 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, Gavins Point Dam is subject to a very high flood risk rating, emphasizing the importance of ongoing risk management measures by the US Army Corps of Engineers. These measures include continuous monitoring of the dam's condition, prioritizing activities to reduce risks, and engaging with local emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and preparedness for potential dam-related emergencies. The dam's emergency action plan is regularly updated, and maintenance and repairs are conducted as needed to ensure its proper functioning and structural integrity.
In the face of unpredictable weather events and the inherent limitations of dam storage capacity, Gavins Point Dam remains a critical component in mitigating flood risks along the Missouri River. By implementing robust risk management strategies and maintaining strong partnerships with local stakeholders, the dam continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the surrounding communities and environments from potential flooding hazards.
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 Gavins Point Dam - Yankton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River Nr Yankton Sd | 1,010 cfs | → |
| James R Near Scotland Sd | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Bazile Creek Near Niobrara | 64 cfs | → |
| Bazile Creek At Center | 54 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd | 83 cfs | → |
| Verdigre C Nr Verdigre | 206 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gavins Point Dam - Yankton Dam.
Track Gavins Point Dam - Yankton 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 Gavins Point Dam - Yankton Dam
Where does the data for Gavins Point Dam - Yankton 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 Gavins Point Dam - Yankton Dam.