Gerkin Refuge No.1 dam
Gerkin Refuge No.1
Gerkin Refuge No.1, located in Faulk, South Dakota, is a state-regulated dam built in 1936 by the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks department. This earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans a length of 600 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 144 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the TR Snake river, serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, providing flood control and water storage benefits to the region.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Gerkin Refuge No.1 is a crucial piece of infrastructure for managing water resources in the area. Despite not having a condition assessment rating, the dam is inspected regularly to ensure its continued safety and functionality. While it currently does not have an Emergency Action Plan or inundation maps prepared, the dam's regulatory compliance and enforcement by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources demonstrate the commitment to effective risk management and safety measures for this essential water resource. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gerkin Refuge No.1 serves as a unique case study in sustainable dam management and the intersection of water resource regulation and environmental conservation efforts.
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 Gerkin Refuge No.1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James R At Ashton Sd | 894 cfs | → |
| James R Near Redfield Sd | 942 cfs | → |
| James R Near Stratford Sd | 776 cfs | → |
| Foot Creek Near Aberdeen | 122 cfs | → |
| Elm R At Westport Sd | 31 cfs | → |
| James R At Columbia Sd | 639 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gerkin Refuge No.1.
Track Gerkin Refuge No.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 Gerkin Refuge No.1
Where does the data for Gerkin Refuge No.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 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 Gerkin Refuge No.1.