Canton Dam No.1 dam
Canton Dam No.1
Canton Dam No.1, also known as Christmas Lake, is a privately owned earth dam located in Lincoln, South Dakota. Completed in 1977, this dam serves as a crucial structure along the tributary of the Big Sioux River, with a dam height of 27 feet and a hydraulic height of 22 feet. With a storage capacity of 159 acre-feet, this dam plays a significant role in managing water resources in the area, especially during times of high discharge.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Canton Dam No.1 is regulated and inspected by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Despite its significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment score, the dam's condition remains unrated. As an uncontrolled spillway dam, it is important for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and assess the risk management measures in place to mitigate potential incidents and ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
With its strategic location and vital role in water resource management, Canton Dam No.1 serves as a critical infrastructure for the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is essential for stakeholders to collaborate and implement effective risk management measures to safeguard the dam and its surrounding areas from potential hazards and ensure the sustainable use of water resources for future generations.
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 Canton Dam No.1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River Near Rock Valley | 784 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd | 37 cfs | → |
| Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd | 15 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd | 302 cfs | → |
| Split Rock Cr At Corson Sd | 16 cfs | → |
| Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Canton Dam No.1.
Boat launches
- Copperwood Court Lincoln County
- 310th Street Sioux County
- Wall Lake Boat Ramp
- Split Rock Park Road Garretson
Track Canton Dam No.1 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 Canton Dam No.1
Where does the data for Canton Dam No.1 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 Significant 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 Canton Dam No.1.