Fishko Dam dam
Fishko Dam
Fishko Dam, located in Fall River, South Dakota, is a privately owned structure that plays a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. Completed in 1957, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 740 feet across the TR-CHEYENNE river or stream. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam has a storage capacity of 128 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 104 acre-feet.
Despite its low hazard potential and ungraded condition assessment, Fishko Dam is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the surrounding community. With the ability to regulate the flow of water and store significant volumes, the dam helps mitigate flood risks and ensures a stable water supply for agricultural and municipal use. Although its specific purposes and primary source agency are not specified, the dam's presence is a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in South Dakota.
As a state-regulated structure under the jurisdiction of DENR, Fishko Dam undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with relevant regulations. Its location within the Omaha District and close proximity to Dusty Johnson's congressional district further emphasize the importance of responsible dam operation and maintenance in safeguarding water resources and adapting to changing climate conditions. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Fishko Dam serves as a tangible example of the intricate interplay between infrastructure, regulation, and environmental stewardship in sustaining water security for future generations.
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 Fishko Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd | · | → |
| Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Hot Springs Sd | 35 cfs | → |
| Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fishko Dam.
Boat launches
- County Highway 6d Fall River County
- Sheps Canyon Road Fall River County
- Fall River County
- South Boat Ramp Road Fall River County
- Whitney Lake
Campgrounds
- Angostura State Rec Area
- Toadstool
- Toadstool Geological Park And Campground
- Cottonwood Springs
- Elk Mountain - Wind Cave National Park
- Elk Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Fishko 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 Fishko Dam
Where does the data for Fishko 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 Fishko Dam.