Novey No. 3 dam
Novey No. 3
Novey No. 3 is a private-owned earth dam located in Mellette, South Dakota, along the tributary of Roundup Creek. Built in 1969 and standing at a height of 25 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 250 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and its emergency action plan status remains unknown.
Managed by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Novey No. 3 is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's primary purpose and associated structures are unspecified, but it serves as a critical infrastructure for water resource management in the region. With its strategic location and design, Novey No. 3 plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water availability for the local community.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Novey No. 3 become increasingly important for climate resilience and adaptation. Understanding the condition and functionality of such structures is essential for effective risk management and emergency preparedness in the face of changing environmental conditions. With its historical significance and ongoing role in water management, Novey No. 3 represents a valuable asset in the region's efforts to address the challenges of a changing climate.
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 Novey No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Pipe Creek Nr Belvidere | 8 cfs | → |
| White River Near White River | 47 cfs | → |
| Little White R Below White River Sd | 117 cfs | → |
| White R Near Kadoka Sd | 62 cfs | → |
| Little White R Near Rosebud Sd | 135 cfs | → |
| South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Novey No. 3.
Track Novey No. 3 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 Novey No. 3
Where does the data for Novey No. 3 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 Novey No. 3.