Mitchell Lake dam
Mitchell Lake
Mitchell Lake in South Dakota is a federally-owned reservoir managed by the USDA Forest Service for recreational purposes, including fishing and wildlife observation. The lake, located near Hill City in Pennington County, was completed in 1936 and stands at a height of 31 feet with a dam length of 280 feet. With a storage capacity of 181 acre-feet and a drainage area of 104 acres, Mitchell Lake serves as a crucial water resource for the region.
Despite its primarily recreational purpose, Mitchell Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. The reservoir's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, with a notable lack of detailed risk management measures in place. Its last inspection in May 2020 did not provide a condition assessment, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of this important water source. Mitchell Lake's scenic location and diverse wildlife make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Mitchell Lake plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems and providing opportunities for outdoor recreation. With its rich history dating back to the 1930s, this federal reservoir serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges. As efforts to mitigate climate change intensify, preserving and protecting water sources like Mitchell Lake will be crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and resilience of the surrounding region.
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 Mitchell Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Cr Below Pactola Dam Sd | 48 cfs | → |
| Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd | 2 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Above Pactola Res At Silver City | 23 cfs | → |
| Battle Cr Near Keystone Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd | 27 cfs | → |
| Castle Cr Below Deerfield Dam Sd | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mitchell Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
- Sheridan Lake Road 16451, Rapid City
- Calvert Road Pennington County
- Pennington County
- Fsr 450 Pennington County
- Jenney Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access
- Bismark Lake Road Custer County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Sheridan Lake
- Sheridan Lake South Campground
- Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground
- Horse Thief Lake Campground
- Horsethief Lake Campground
- Horsethief Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
- Sheridan Lake Complex
- Horsethief Lake Day Use Site
- Lakota Lake
- Rapid Creek Trailhead & Fishing Access
- Veterans Point Fishing Pier
- Bismark Lake
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Mitchell 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 Mitchell Lake
Where does the data for Mitchell 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 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 Mitchell Lake.