Strong 2 dam
Strong 2
Strong 2 is a privately owned earth dam located in Meade, South Dakota, with a primary purpose that is not specified in the data. Completed in 1960, the dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 570 feet, providing a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 3400 cubic feet per second. It is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and is inspected, permitted, and enforced by the state agency.
With a low hazard potential and a current condition assessment of "Not Rated," Strong 2 is an essential component of water resource management in the region. It plays a crucial role in flood control and water storage for the surrounding area, helping to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and maintain a stable water supply for both agricultural and residential use. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, demonstrating the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring of infrastructure for climate resilience.
Located on a tributary of the Belle Fourche River, Strong 2 is a key piece of infrastructure in the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, its operational efficiency and safety are regularly assessed to ensure it meets regulatory guidelines and poses no significant risk to the surrounding community. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and upkeep of structures like Strong 2 will be crucial for adapting to a changing climate and ensuring water security for future generations.
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 Strong 2 -- 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 | → |
| Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd | 239 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne River Near Wasta | 65 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd | 88 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Strong 2.
More reservoirs
Track Strong 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 Strong 2
Where does the data for Strong 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.