Loyalton (Stafford) is a Federal-owned Earth dam located in South Dakota, specifically in Edmunds County.
Wind
Humidity
The dam, designed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1934, stands at a height of 33 feet and has a length of 550 feet. It impounds the TR-N Fork Snake Creek and has a maximum storage capacity of 460 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 214 acre-feet.
Although the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment, it is considered to have a moderate risk level. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 3 feet, and has no outlet gates. While the dam has not been inspected since November 2010 and lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps, it is still monitored by the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Loyalton (Stafford) represents a historical piece of infrastructure with important implications for flood control and water management in the region. With its unique design and operational characteristics, this dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for maintenance and monitoring of critical water infrastructure to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
Year Completed |
1934 |
Dam Length |
550 |
Dam Height |
33 |
River Or Stream |
TR-N FORK SNAKE CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Hydraulic Height |
33 |
Drainage Area |
3 |
Nid Storage |
460 |
Outlet Gates |
None |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Soil |
Nid Height |
33 |
Foot Creek Near Aberdeen
|
0cfs |
James R Near Stratford Sd
|
409cfs |
James R At Ashton Sd
|
418cfs |
Elm R At Westport Sd
|
12cfs |
James R Near Redfield Sd
|
468cfs |
James R At Columbia Sd
|
268cfs |