Lewis & Tinsley Dam dam
Lewis & Tinsley Dam
Lewis & Tinsley Dam, located in Meade, South Dakota, is a privately owned structure that was completed in 1959. This earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans a length of 600 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and a normal storage of 28 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TRIB-WEST ELM CREEK and is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
With a low hazard potential and a current condition assessment of "Not Rated," Lewis & Tinsley Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Although details on emergency action plans and risk management measures are not provided, the dam is subject to state inspection, permitting, and enforcement, ensuring its compliance with safety standards. The dam's location within the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlights its importance in flood control and water supply for the local community.
As a significant infrastructure for water storage and management, Lewis & Tinsley Dam serves as a vital asset in the face of changing climate conditions and growing water demands. Its presence contributes to the overall resilience of the region's water resources and underscores the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safe operation in the years to come. Enthusiasts in water resource and climate fields can appreciate the role of dams like Lewis & Tinsley in sustainable water management practices and mitigating the impacts of a changing climate on water availability.
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 Lewis & Tinsley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd | 132 cfs | → |
| Horse Cr Above Vale Sd | 13 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs | 113 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd | 14 cfs | → |
| Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lewis & Tinsley Dam.
Campgrounds
- Bear Butte State Park
- Horsecamp, Camp Site
- Alkali Creek Horsecamp
- Alkali Creek Camp Site
- Alkali Creek Campground
- Alkali Creek Campground Host Site
Track Lewis & Tinsley Dam 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 Lewis & Tinsley Dam
Where does the data for Lewis & Tinsley Dam 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 Lewis & Tinsley Dam.