Wicksville 1 dam
Wicksville 1
Wicksville 1, a state-regulated dam in Pennington, South Dakota, stands as a vital water resource management structure along the Cheyenne River. Built in 1935, this earth dam reaches a height of 31 feet and has a storage capacity of 260 acre-feet, serving as a critical component in flood control and water supply for the region. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Wicksville 1 plays a key role in ensuring the safety and stability of the surrounding area.
Managed by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Wicksville 1 undergoes regular inspections every three years to uphold its operational integrity and safeguard against potential risks. Despite its age, the dam remains in satisfactory condition, with emergency action plans and inundation maps in place to mitigate any unforeseen events. As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, Wicksville 1 stands as a testament to the importance of resilient infrastructure in adapting to evolving environmental challenges.
As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates continue to monitor the impact of climate change on water systems, Wicksville 1 serves as a beacon of resilience and preparedness in the face of uncertainty. With Dusty Johnson (R) representing the area in Congress, the collaboration between state and federal agencies ensures that Wicksville 1 remains a crucial component in the sustainable management of water resources and the protection of communities downstream. By prioritizing regular inspections, emergency planning, and risk assessment, Wicksville 1 exemplifies the proactive approach needed to address the growing threats posed by a changing climate on water infrastructure.
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 Wicksville 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne River Near Wasta | 55 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd | 47 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs | 98 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Bl Sewage Treatment Pl Nr Rapid City | 40 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wicksville 1.
Campgrounds
- Sage Creek Campground
- Sage Creek
- Buffalo Gap National Grassland
- Ellsworth Afb Military
- Rapid City - Black Hills Koa
- Central States Fairgrounds
Fishing spots
- Lakota Lake
- Rapid Creek Trailhead & Fishing Access
- Sheridan Lake Complex
- Veterans Point Fishing Pier
- Horsethief Lake Day Use Site
- Bismark Lake
More reservoirs
Track Wicksville 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 Wicksville 1
Where does the data for Wicksville 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 Wicksville 1.