Shaeffer Dam dam
Shaeffer Dam
Shaeffer Dam, located in South Dakota on the Vermillion River, was completed in 2008 and is owned by a private entity. Designed by USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet, with a maximum discharge capacity of 655 cubic feet per second. With a spillway width of 60 feet and uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
The primary purpose of Shaeffer Dam is not specified, but it serves as a crucial infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region. The dam is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and undergoes state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The risk assessment for Shaeffer Dam is moderate, with a DSAC (Dam Safety Action Classification) assigned date not available, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures.
Overall, Shaeffer Dam plays a vital role in flood control, water storage, and irrigation for the local community in McCook, South Dakota. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, continued monitoring and maintenance of the dam are essential to ensure its long-term functionality and effectiveness in water resource management amidst changing climate conditions. With its strategic location on the Vermillion River, Shaeffer Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources.
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 Shaeffer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Vermillion River Near Parker | 16 cfs | → |
| West Fork Vermillion R Near Parker Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd | 15 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd | 37 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd | 302 cfs | → |
| Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shaeffer Dam.
Boat launches
- Mccook County
- Wall Lake Boat Ramp
- Walkers Point Drive Lake County
- State Park Drive Lake County
- Copperwood Court Lincoln County
Campgrounds
More reservoirs
Track Shaeffer 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 Shaeffer Dam
Where does the data for Shaeffer 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 Shaeffer Dam.