Freeman dam
Freeman
Freeman is a privately-owned dam located in Meade, South Dakota, along the TR-BELLE FONot RatedCHE river. Constructed in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential, Freeman is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement actions to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Managed by the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Freeman serves multiple purposes including flood control and water supply. Despite its age, the dam's condition is currently rated as "Not Rated" with no recent inspection data available. While the dam has not experienced any major modifications or emergency action plans in place, its location and design make it a critical infrastructure in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor Freeman's condition and ensure proper risk management measures are in place to protect downstream communities and the surrounding environment.
As a key infrastructure in South Dakota, Freeman plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating potential hazards. With its historic significance and structural importance, it is imperative for stakeholders to stay informed about the dam's condition, potential risks, and emergency preparedness plans. By understanding Freeman's role in the region's water management system and advocating for its proper maintenance and regulation, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the resilience and sustainability of this vital infrastructure.
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 Freeman -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs | 98 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd | 88 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd | 239 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne River Near Wasta | 65 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Freeman.
More reservoirs
Track Freeman 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 Freeman
Where does the data for Freeman 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 Freeman.