Deer Dam dam
Deer Dam
Deer Dam, located in Harding, South Dakota, is a privately owned structure that has been a vital part of the state's water resource management since its completion in 1963. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a storage capacity of 950 acre-feet, serving as a crucial component in regulating water levels and providing irrigation to the surrounding areas. Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, Deer Dam remains under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, ensuring regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement to maintain its structural integrity.
In terms of its design and functionality, Deer Dam plays a significant role in controlling the flow of the TR-Little MissONot RatedI river/stream, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1050 cubic feet per second. While specific details about spillways, outlet gates, and associated structures are not available, the dam's primary purpose is likely to provide water storage for agriculture and environmental conservation efforts in the region. With its strategic location and operational history, Deer Dam continues to be a vital asset for water resource management in South Dakota, showcasing the importance of privately owned structures in sustaining local ecosystems and communities.
As climate change and water scarcity issues become more pressing, the role of dams like Deer Dam in sustaining water resources and mitigating environmental risks cannot be overstated. With its state-regulated status and regular inspections, Deer Dam exemplifies responsible ownership and management practices that are essential for ensuring the long-term viability of water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Deer Dam serves as a fascinating case study in the intersection of private ownership, state regulation, and environmental stewardship in the context of water management and climate resilience.
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 Deer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Missouri R At Camp Crook Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River At Marmarth | · | → |
| South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Dam.
Track Deer 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 Deer Dam
Where does the data for Deer 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 Deer Dam.