Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2 dam
Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2
Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2 is a key water resource managed by the USDA NRCS in Marshall, South Dakota. This earth dam, completed in 1960, serves the primary purpose of regulating water flow in the Tributary Wild Rice Creek, with a maximum storage capacity of 1588 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 830 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 40 feet and spans a length of 600 feet, providing essential flood protection and water management for the local community.
With the State of South Dakota regulating and inspecting the dam regularly, it has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and its condition remains unrated. While the last inspection took place in 1980, the dam continues to play a crucial role in mitigating potential risks and ensuring water security in the region. The Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2 is a testament to effective collaboration between local government agencies and federal partners in safeguarding water resources and enhancing climate resilience in the area.
As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the maintenance and management of structures like Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2 are vital for sustainable water resource management. With a commitment to regular inspections and enforcement, coupled with low hazard potential and a solid earth dam design, this watershed serves as a valuable asset in protecting the surrounding community from potential flooding events and ensuring a reliable water supply 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 Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Rice River Nr Rutland | 56 cfs | → |
| James River At Nd-Sd State Line | 581 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Nr Oakes | 16 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River At Lisbon | 298 cfs | → |
| Little Minnesota River Near Peever | 60 cfs | → |
| James R At Columbia Sd | 686 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2.
Track Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-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 Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2
Where does the data for Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-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 Wild Rice Creek Watershed Wr-2.