Varilek Fishpond #1 dam
Varilek Fishpond #1
Varilek Fishpond #1 is a privately owned earth dam structure located in Charles Mix, South Dakota. Completed in 1967, the dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 135 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 64 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Spring Creek off stream, within the St. Paul District of South Dakota, and is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
With a significant hazard potential, Varilek Fishpond #1 is a crucial water resource in the area, providing storage and flood control benefits. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 970 cubic feet per second, and its primary purpose is to support agricultural and environmental needs in the region. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam has not been rated for its current condition, and further assessments and emergency preparedness measures are yet to be documented.
As a key structure within the local water management system, Varilek Fishpond #1 plays a vital role in maintaining water quality, regulating flow, and supporting the surrounding ecosystem. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, the dam contributes to the overall water resource management efforts in the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and variability, the importance of structures like Varilek Fishpond #1 in ensuring water security and resilience becomes increasingly apparent.
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 Varilek Fishpond #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 3 cfs | → |
| Ponca Creek At Verdel | 29 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River Nr. Verdel | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River At Mariaville | 861 cfs | → |
| Bazile Creek Near Niobrara | 59 cfs | → |
| Verdigre C Nr Verdigre | 206 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Varilek Fishpond #1.
Boat launches
- 293rd Street Charles Mix County
- 376th Avenue Charles Mix County
- Gregory County
- North Wheeler Road Charles Mix County
- 297th Street Charles Mix County
Track Varilek Fishpond #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 Varilek Fishpond #1
Where does the data for Varilek Fishpond #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 Significant 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 Varilek Fishpond #1.