Rahn Lake Dam dam
Rahn Lake Dam
Rahn Lake Dam, located in Tripp, South Dakota, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1936 for off-stream water storage from the Niobrara River. Standing at a height of 22 feet and a length of 570 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 891 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 320 acre-feet. Despite being classified as low hazard potential and not currently rated for condition assessment, the dam undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Managed by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), Rahn Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, providing water storage for irrigation, recreational activities, and wildlife habitat. The dam's maximum discharge capacity of 2000 cubic feet per second ensures controlled water release during heavy rainfall events, reducing the risk of downstream flooding. With its strategic location and vital functions, Rahn Lake Dam serves as a key component in the overall water infrastructure of the area, safeguarding against water scarcity and promoting sustainable water use practices.
As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Rahn Lake Dam become increasingly important. By adhering to state regulations for inspection, enforcement, and permitting, the responsible management of this earth dam ensures the long-term resilience of water resources in the region. With a commitment to safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship, Rahn Lake Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Rahn Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd | 57 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd | 22 cfs | → |
| Long Pine Creek Near Riverview | 208 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River Near Sparks | 641 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River At Mariaville | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rahn Lake Dam.
More reservoirs
Track Rahn Lake 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 Rahn Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rahn Lake 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 Rahn Lake Dam.