Glad Valley dam
Glad Valley
Glad Valley, a state-owned Earth dam located in Ziebach, South Dakota, was completed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). With a height of 18 feet and a length of 800 feet, this dam on the TR GRAND river serves multiple purposes, including flood control and irrigation for the surrounding area. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 1146 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 308 acre-feet, making it a vital water resource for the region.
Despite being classified as having low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Glad Valley is regulated and inspected by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 36 feet and no outlet gates. The last inspection was conducted in October 2018, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 3 years. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, it continues to play a crucial role in water management and climate resilience efforts in the area.
Managed by state agencies and without federal funding or oversight, Glad Valley stands as a testament to the importance of local water management and infrastructure resilience. With its historical significance as a WPA project and its continued role in providing water resources for the community, this dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Glad Valley to be a fascinating example of how local initiatives can have a lasting impact on water security and environmental protection.
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 Glad Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Moreau R Near Faith Sd | 78 cfs | → |
| North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd | 2 cfs | → |
| South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd | 25 cfs | → |
| Moreau R Near Whitehorse Sd | 243 cfs | → |
| Grand R At Little Eagle Sd | 72 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Nr Raleigh | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Glad Valley.
Track Glad Valley 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 Glad Valley
Where does the data for Glad Valley 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 Glad Valley.