Bonita Springs Lake dam
Bonita Springs Lake
Bonita Springs Lake in South Dakota is a privately owned earth dam structure completed in 1935 with a height of 26 feet and a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Killdeer Draw river or stream and is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and not currently rated for its condition, the dam is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes to ensure its safety and functionality.
Located in Meade County, South Dakota, Bonita Springs Lake serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, with a normal storage capacity of 64 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 1500 cubic feet per second. The dam's primary purpose and associated structures are not specified in the data, but its presence highlights the importance of water management and infrastructure maintenance in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water scarcity concerns. With state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight in place, Bonita Springs Lake stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to protect and sustainably utilize water resources in the region.
As climate enthusiasts and water resource stakeholders, the data on Bonita Springs Lake provides insight into the infrastructure and management practices that govern a critical water source in South Dakota. The dam's historical significance, design characteristics, and regulatory framework offer a glimpse into the complex interplay between human intervention and natural systems in ensuring water security and resilience. With ongoing monitoring and potential updates to its condition assessment and emergency action plans, Bonita Springs Lake exemplifies the ongoing commitment to sustainable water resource management in the region, making it a valuable case study for climate adaptation and water resource planning efforts.
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 Bonita Springs Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs | 138 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne River Near Wasta | 102 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd | 148 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd | 320 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bonita Springs Lake.
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Bonita Springs Lake 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 Bonita Springs Lake
Where does the data for Bonita Springs Lake 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.