Busack Dam dam
Busack Dam
Busack Dam, located in Chamberlain, South Dakota, is a privately owned structure regulated by the state's Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Completed in 1952, this earth dam stands at 27 feet tall and spans 230 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet. The dam is designed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and has a low hazard potential, making it a vital component of water resource management in the area.
With a maximum discharge of 660 cubic feet per second, Busack Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow in the TR-MISSONot RatedI river or stream. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Rated," indicating the need for further inspection and evaluation. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes ensure its continued safe operation and compliance with regulatory standards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Busack Dam represents a key infrastructure piece in South Dakota's water management system. Its strategic location and design contribute to flood control, water storage, and environmental conservation efforts in the region. As the state continues to monitor and maintain this essential dam, it serves as a reminder of the critical role that such structures play in safeguarding water resources and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events on local 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 Busack Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White R Near Oacoma Sd | 131 cfs | → |
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 1 cfs | → |
| Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Busack Dam.
Boat launches
- East Glenn Avenue 309, Chamberlain
- Oacoma
- Buryanek Road Gregory County
- Lyman County
- State Highway 44 Charles Mix County
Campgrounds
- American Creek - Lake Francis Case
- Happy Campers Campground
- West Chamberlain - Lake Francis Case
- Dude Rach Dfg
- Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe
- Right Tailrace - Coe
More reservoirs
Track Busack 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 Busack Dam
Where does the data for Busack 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 Busack Dam.