Oglala dam
Oglala
Oglala is a Federal-owned earth dam located in Oglala Lakota, South Dakota, along the White Clay Creek. Built in 1942 for recreational purposes, the dam stands at a height of 57 feet with a hydraulic height of 26 feet. It has a storage capacity of 10,800 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 515 acres. With a controlled spillway width of 120 feet, Oglala is classified as having a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment.
Managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Oglala has not been inspected since August 2012, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. The dam is currently in a condition assessment status of "Not Available" and does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared. While it has not experienced any modifications over the years, the dam's risk management measures and inundation maps are also not readily available. Despite its risk potential, the dam serves as a vital recreational resource in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Oglala represents a significant Federal-owned dam in South Dakota that plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities along the White Clay Creek. With its high hazard potential and very high risk assessment, the dam highlights the importance of regular inspections and the implementation of emergency action plans. As a key structure managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Oglala serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and recreational activities in the Oglala Lakota community.
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 Oglala -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White R Near Oglala Sd | 101 cfs | → |
| White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line | 3 cfs | → |
| Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd | · | → |
| Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd | 56 cfs | → |
| Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd | 2 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne River At Redshirt | 62 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oglala.
More reservoirs
Track Oglala 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 Oglala
Where does the data for Oglala 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 High 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 Oglala.