Pactola Dike 1 dam
Pactola Dike 1
Pactola Dike 1, located in Rapid City, South Dakota, is a federally owned earth dam constructed in 1959 by the Bureau of Reclamation. Standing at a height of 115 feet, this structure serves as a critical component for managing water resources in the area, particularly along the Rapid Creek. With a storage capacity of 140,898 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,557 acres, Pactola Dike 1 plays a pivotal role in flood control and water supply management for the region.
Despite being under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation, Pactola Dike 1 is not state regulated or permitted, showcasing the federal agency's responsibility in overseeing its operations, inspections, and regulatory aspects. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, with a very high risk assessment rating, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its structural integrity and emergency preparedness protocols. With its controlled spillway and rock foundation, Pactola Dike 1 stands as a testament to engineering excellence and the critical role of water infrastructure in mitigating climate-related risks in the region.
As a key component of the water management system in Pennington County, Pactola Dike 1 not only provides flood protection but also contributes to the overall resilience of the community in the face of changing climate patterns. With its arch core design and significant storage capacity, this earth dam symbolizes the ongoing efforts to safeguard water resources and ensure sustainable development in South Dakota. As climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the importance of infrastructure like Pactola Dike 1 in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources and communities.
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 Pactola Dike 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Cr Below Pactola Dam Sd | 48 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Above Pactola Res At Silver City | 23 cfs | → |
| Boxelder Cr Near Nemo Sd | 7 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd | 27 cfs | → |
| Cleghorn Springs At Rapid City | 9 cfs | → |
| Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pactola Dike 1.
Boat launches
- Pennington County
- Fsr 450 Pennington County
- Jenney Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access
- Sheridan Lake Road 16451, Rapid City
- Calvert Road Pennington County
- Deerfield Cove Road Pennington County
Campgrounds
- Pactola Campground
- Pactola
- Bear Gulch (Group Site)
- Steamboat Rock Picnic & Tent Camping Area
- Sheridan Lake North Cove (Group Sites) Campground
- Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground
Track Pactola Dike 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 Pactola Dike 1
Where does the data for Pactola Dike 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 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 Pactola Dike 1.