Wayne Besler dam
Wayne Besler
Wayne Besler is a privately owned earth dam located in Perkins, South Dakota, along the TR Moreau River. Built in 1959 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 400 feet, with a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet. Despite being classified as having low hazard potential and not currently rated for condition assessment, Wayne Besler is regulated and inspected by the state of South Dakota, with enforcement and permitting also falling under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
This dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, with a maximum discharge capacity of 300 cubic feet per second. While its primary purpose is not specified in the data, it serves to provide flood control and water storage for the surrounding region. With its location in a rural area and no associated structures, Wayne Besler remains an essential infrastructure for water resource management in Perkins County. Although it may not have a designated emergency action plan or updated risk assessment measures, the dam continues to contribute to the sustainable utilization of water resources in South Dakota.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wayne Besler represents a key piece of infrastructure in the St. Paul District that highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams for effective water management. With an emphasis on state regulation and inspection, this dam showcases the collaborative efforts between private owners and government agencies to ensure the safety and functionality of water infrastructure. As enthusiasts continue to advocate for sustainable water resource practices, monitoring and assessing dams like Wayne Besler will be essential in mitigating potential risks and ensuring the resilience of water systems in the face of climate challenges.
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 Wayne Besler -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd | 25 cfs | → |
| Moreau R Near Faith Sd | 78 cfs | → |
| North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wayne Besler.
Track Wayne Besler 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 Wayne Besler
Where does the data for Wayne Besler 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 Wayne Besler.