Wolken 2 dam
Wolken 2
Wolken 2 is a privately owned earth dam located in Meade, South Dakota, along the TR-ELK CREEK river. Constructed in 1955 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans a length of 620 feet. With a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet, Wolken 2 serves as a vital structure for water resource management in the region.
Managed by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Wolken 2 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced according to state guidelines. Despite its low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water storage activities. It is capable of handling a maximum discharge of 2100 cubic feet per second and has not undergone any modifications in recent years.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wolken 2 offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of infrastructure and environmental management. Its strategic location, design features, and operational history make it a noteworthy example of sustainable water resource development in South Dakota. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, structures like Wolken 2 play a crucial role in ensuring the resilience and adaptability of local water systems.
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 Wolken 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd | 13 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Bl Sewage Treatment Pl Nr Rapid City | 40 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr At Rapid City Sd | 88 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd | 20 cfs | → |
| Cleghorn Springs At Rapid City | 9 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd | 64 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wolken 2.
Boat launches
- Pennington County
- Calvert Road Pennington County
- Sheridan Lake Road 16451, Rapid City
- Fsr 450 Pennington County
- Jenney Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access
Campgrounds
- Ellsworth Afb Military
- Rapid City - Black Hills Koa
- Central States Fairgrounds
- Little Jon Park
- Canyon Lake Cottages
- Steamboat Rock Picnic & Tent Camping Area
Track Wolken 2 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 Wolken 2
Where does the data for Wolken 2 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 Wolken 2.