Fite Dam Number 1 dam
Fite Dam Number 1
Fite Dam Number 1 is a privately owned earth dam located in Charles Mix, South Dakota, completed in 1972 with a height of 30 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 19 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of water resource management and is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Fite Dam Number 1 is a key structure in the St. Paul District, ensuring water security and flood control for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fite Dam Number 1 plays a crucial role in maintaining the water levels of the MISSONot RatedI TRIB stream. Despite not having a designated spillway type or spillway width, the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 12 cubic feet per second, contributing to the overall water management efforts in the region. While the dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment details are currently unavailable, its presence and operational status underscore the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of infrastructure like Fite Dam Number 1, its role in maintaining water security and resilience in the face of environmental challenges becomes increasingly significant. With a commitment to inspection, enforcement, and regulatory standards, this privately owned dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to manage water resources effectively and responsibly in South Dakota.
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 Fite Dam Number 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 3 cfs | → |
| White R Near Oacoma Sd | 122 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd | 62 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River At Mariaville | 861 cfs | → |
| Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fite Dam Number 1.
Boat launches
- Buryanek Road Gregory County
- State Highway 44 Charles Mix County
- North Wheeler Road Charles Mix County
- East Glenn Avenue 309, Chamberlain
- Oacoma
Track Fite Dam 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 Fite Dam Number 1
Where does the data for Fite Dam 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 Fite Dam Number 1.