Gaylord Saucerman dam
Gaylord Saucerman
Gaylord Saucerman is a private dam located in Stanley, South Dakota, along the tributary of Prairie Dog Creek. Constructed in 1964, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and stretches for 600 feet, providing a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Gaylord Saucerman is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Gaylord Saucerman serves as a vital water resource structure in the region. Despite lacking detailed information on its emergency action plan and risk management measures, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water storage for the surrounding area. Its location in a rural setting underscores the importance of responsibly managing and maintaining this infrastructure to safeguard both the environment and local communities.
As a part of the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Gaylord Saucerman contributes to the overall water management efforts in the region. While specific details regarding its operation and any associated structures are limited, the dam's presence highlights the significance of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of climate change and increasing water demands. Gaylord Saucerman stands as a testament to the collaboration between private owners, federal agencies, and state regulators in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of water infrastructure for the benefit of all stakeholders.
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 Gaylord Saucerman -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Black Pipe Creek Nr Belvidere | 8 cfs | → |
| South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd | · | → |
| White R Near Kadoka Sd | 62 cfs | → |
| White River Near White River | 47 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd | 415 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gaylord Saucerman.
Track Gaylord Saucerman 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 Gaylord Saucerman
Where does the data for Gaylord Saucerman 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 Gaylord Saucerman.