Bettcher Number 1 dam
Bettcher Number 1
Bettcher Number 1 is a private-owned earth dam located in Mellette, South Dakota, along the White River offstream. Built in 1965 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans 485 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 26 acre-feet, it serves to regulate water flow and provide irrigation benefits to the surrounding area. Despite being rated as low potential hazard, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated", signaling a need for inspection and maintenance.
Situated within the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bettcher Number 1 plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Its primary purpose and associated structures remain unspecified, but it is known to have state regulatory oversight from the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. With a maximum discharge capacity of 812 cubic feet per second, the dam contributes to flood control efforts and supports agricultural activities in the area.
Although details such as inspection frequency, emergency action plans, and risk assessment measures are currently unavailable, Bettcher Number 1 remains a significant infrastructure for water resource management in South Dakota. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and water availability, the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams like Bettcher Number 1 becomes increasingly critical in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources 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 Bettcher Number 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near White River | 47 cfs | → |
| Little White R Below White River Sd | 117 cfs | → |
| Little White R Near Rosebud Sd | 135 cfs | → |
| Black Pipe Creek Nr Belvidere | 8 cfs | → |
| Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bettcher Number 1.
Track Bettcher Number 1 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 Bettcher Number 1
Where does the data for Bettcher Number 1 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 Bettcher Number 1.