Hickman Dam dam
Hickman Dam
Hickman Dam, located in Marshall, South Dakota, is a state-owned structure built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and has a storage capacity of 450 acre-feet, serving the purpose of regulating flow on the TRCROWCREEKJAMES river. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Hickman Dam has not been rated for its condition, but is inspected every three years to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 30 feet, and has not undergone any significant modifications since its completion. It is designed to withstand normal storage levels of 184 acre-feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 1527 cubic feet per second. With the responsibility for inspection, permitting, and enforcement falling under the state jurisdiction, Hickman Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Hickman Dam, while not a high-risk structure, remains a vital component of the local water infrastructure, providing flood control and water regulation services to the surrounding area. Managed by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the dam ensures the safety and sustainability of water resources along the TRCROWCREEKJAMES river, contributing to the overall resilience of the region against potential water-related challenges. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will find Hickman Dam to be an intriguing case study in state-owned dam infrastructure and its role in maintaining a balanced water ecosystem.
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 Hickman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James R At Columbia Sd | 618 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River Nr Rutland | 46 cfs | → |
| James River At Nd-Sd State Line | 668 cfs | → |
| Elm R At Westport Sd | 28 cfs | → |
| Maple R At Nd-Sd State Line | 12 cfs | → |
| Foot Creek Near Aberdeen | 104 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hickman Dam.
Boat launches
- Roy Lake State Park
- 137th Avenue Southeast Weber Township
- 101st Street Southeast Dickey County
- Tewaukon Township
Campgrounds
- Britton City Park
- Pierpont City Park
- Groton City Park
- Chamber Of Commerce Campground - Webster
- Webster City Park
- Hecla Day Use Area
More reservoirs
Track Hickman 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 Hickman Dam
Where does the data for Hickman 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 Hickman Dam.