Owanka 1 dam
Owanka 1
Owanka 1, located in Pennington, South Dakota, is a state-regulated earth dam built in 1935 on the TR-BOXELDER CREEK, with a maximum storage capacity of 257 acre-feet. This low hazard potential dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans a length of 690 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 450 cubic feet per second.
Although Owanka 1 has not been rated for its condition, it undergoes inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), which oversees its permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities. In case of emergencies, the dam has not prepared an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or updated its inundation maps to outline risk management measures.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Owanka 1 to be an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure management, with its historical significance as one of the early earth dams built in the region. The dam's location on TR-BOXELDER CREEK and its association with the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers present opportunities for further research on its hydrological impact and resilience to changing climate conditions. Understanding the regulatory framework and operational aspects of Owanka 1 can provide valuable insights into sustainable water resource management practices in South Dakota.
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 Owanka 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne River Near Wasta | 61 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd | 27 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs | 95 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Bl Sewage Treatment Pl Nr Rapid City | 40 cfs | → |
| Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Owanka 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
- Sheridan Lake Complex
- Rapid Creek Trailhead & Fishing Access
- Veterans Point Fishing Pier
- Horsethief Lake Day Use Site
- Bismark Lake
More reservoirs
Track Owanka 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 Owanka 1
Where does the data for Owanka 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 Owanka 1.