Iron Cr Lake dam
Iron Cr Lake
Iron Creek Lake, located in Lawrence, South Dakota, is a Federal-owned reservoir primarily used for recreation and fish and wildlife conservation. Constructed in 1937 by the USDA Forest Service, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 40 feet and spans 280 feet in length. With a high hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway and maximum discharge capacity of 332 cubic feet per second, the lake offers a unique opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to observe the intersection of man-made infrastructure and natural ecosystems.
The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 454 acre-feet, with a total storage capacity of 517 acre-feet. Despite its small drainage area of only 1 square mile, Iron Creek Lake plays a crucial role in providing water for local wildlife and recreational activities. The dam's condition is currently not rated, but its risk assessment is moderate (3), highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of this vital water resource. The surrounding area, with its picturesque scenery and diverse aquatic habitats, offers a prime location for studying the impacts of climate change on freshwater ecosystems and the resilience of man-made structures in the face of environmental challenges.
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 Iron Cr Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Spearfish Creek Near Lead | 14 cfs | → |
| Annie Creek Near Lead | 0 cfs | → |
| Spearfish Creek Near Lead | 27 cfs | → |
| Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd | 50 cfs | → |
| Deadwood Creek At Central City | 1 cfs | → |
| Sand Creek Near Ranch A | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Iron Cr Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
- Deerfield Cove Road Pennington County
- Fishing Access Road Butte County
- Jenney Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access
- Fsr 450 Pennington County
⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →Track Iron Cr Lake 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 Iron Cr Lake
Where does the data for Iron Cr Lake 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 Iron Cr Lake.