Kjerstad Dam No.2 dam
Kjerstad Dam No.2
Kjerstad Dam No.2, located in Pennington, South Dakota, is a privately-owned structure that plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the TR BAD RIVER. Built in 1941 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 335 feet. With a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2490 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital water resource management system in the region.
Despite being categorized as having a high hazard potential, Kjerstad Dam No.2 is deemed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection conducted in October 2017. The dam is subject to regular state regulation, inspection, and enforcement, ensuring its structural integrity and the safety of surrounding communities. While there have been no modifications or emergency action plans reported for the dam, its presence highlights the importance of proper maintenance and risk management measures in safeguarding water resources and mitigating potential hazards.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure across the country, the role of dams like Kjerstad Dam No.2 becomes increasingly significant. With its ability to control flow rates and provide essential water storage, this dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to manage and protect our water supply in a changing climate. As enthusiasts and advocates for water resource management, staying informed about structures like Kjerstad Dam No.2 is crucial in understanding the challenges and solutions in ensuring sustainable water management 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 Kjerstad Dam No.2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd | · | → |
| Cheyenne River Near Wasta | 73 cfs | → |
| Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| White R Near Interior Sd | 48 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd | 312 cfs | → |
| Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kjerstad Dam No.2.
Track Kjerstad Dam No.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 Kjerstad Dam No.2
Where does the data for Kjerstad Dam No.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 High 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 Kjerstad Dam No.2.