R.L. Cundy Dam No.1 dam
R.L. Cundy Dam No.1
R.L. Cundy Dam No.1, located in Butte, South Dakota, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1957 along Leech Creek. With a height of 21 feet and a storage capacity of 193 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. It is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, ensuring that it meets state standards for inspection, enforcement, and permitting.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, R.L. Cundy Dam No.1's condition has not been rated. The dam has a maximum discharge of 1500 cubic feet per second and serves as a vital structure in the region's water infrastructure. With its primary purpose and specific design details not specified, the dam stands as a testament to engineering achievements in the mid-20th century and continues to support the surrounding community's water needs.
As climate change impacts become more pronounced, the role of dams like R.L. Cundy Dam No.1 in managing water resources and mitigating risks will only grow in importance. With its location in a potentially flood-prone area, ensuring the safety and integrity of this structure will be crucial for safeguarding both the environment and local residents. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, monitoring the condition and management of dams like R.L. Cundy Dam No.1 provides valuable insights into the intersection of infrastructure, natural resources, and climate resilience.
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 R.L. Cundy Dam No.1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Inlet Canal Above Belle Fourche Reservoir Sd | 53 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R Near Fruitdale Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Redwater River Above Belle Fourche Sd | 45 cfs | → |
| Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Horse Cr Above Vale Sd | 13 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near R.L. Cundy Dam No.1.
Track R.L. Cundy Dam 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 R.L. Cundy Dam No.1
Where does the data for R.L. Cundy Dam 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 Significant 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 R.L. Cundy Dam No.1.