Lake Corsica Dam dam
Lake Corsica Dam
Lake Corsica Dam, located in South Dakota, is a vital structure that regulates the flow of Choteau Creek and provides essential water resources for the surrounding area. Built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a length of 720 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 2020 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and ensuring reliable water supply for the region.
Despite its age, Lake Corsica Dam remains in good condition and is inspected regularly to uphold safety standards. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 75 feet and vertical lift outlet gates. With a high hazard potential due to its location and design, the dam is closely monitored for any potential risks. Additionally, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures to protect the surrounding community and environment.
Managed by the local government, Lake Corsica Dam serves as a key infrastructure for water resource management in Douglas County, South Dakota. With its historical significance and functional importance, the dam continues to play a crucial role in providing water security and flood control for the region. As climate change impacts water resources, the maintenance and operation of structures like Lake Corsica Dam are essential for ensuring the resilience and sustainability of water systems in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Lake Corsica Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| James R Near Mitchell Sd | 957 cfs | → |
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 1 cfs | → |
| James R Near Scotland Sd | 1,060 cfs | → |
| James R Near Forestburg Sd | 966 cfs | → |
| Ponca Creek At Verdel | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Corsica Dam.
Boat launches
- 297th Street Charles Mix County
- Spillway Drive Pickstown
- Charles Mix County
- Gregory County
- 293rd Street Charles Mix County
Track Lake Corsica 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 Lake Corsica Dam
Where does the data for Lake Corsica 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 High 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 Lake Corsica Dam.