Geddes dam
Geddes
Geddes is a state-regulated earthen dam located in South Dakota, specifically in Charles Mix County. Built in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Geddes stands at a height of 29 feet and spans a length of 1040 feet across Pease Creek. The dam has a storage capacity of 2100 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 820 acre-feet and a drainage area of 40 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Geddes has a moderate risk assessment of 3 out of 5 due to its age and condition rating of "Not Rated." The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 70 feet and vertical lift outlet gates. The last inspection of Geddes took place in October 2016, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 3 years. While the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk management measures for Geddes are not specified, the dam is deemed to meet safety guidelines.
Overall, Geddes serves as a vital structure for water resource management in the area, playing a key role in flood control and water storage along Pease Creek. As a state-owned and regulated dam, Geddes' historical significance, design characteristics, and risk assessment highlight its importance in the region's water infrastructure and climate resilience efforts.
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 Geddes -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 0 cfs | → |
| Ponca Creek At Verdel | 8 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River Nr. Verdel | 1,850 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River At Mariaville | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Bazile Creek Near Niobrara | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Geddes.
Boat launches
- 293rd Street Charles Mix County
- North Wheeler Road Charles Mix County
- Gregory County
- 376th Avenue Charles Mix County
- 297th Street Charles Mix County
Track Geddes 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 Geddes
Where does the data for Geddes 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 Geddes.