Sargent Irrigation Dam dam
Sargent Irrigation Dam
The Sargent Irrigation Dam, located in Tripp, South Dakota, is a vital water resource infrastructure that plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the Dry Draw- Keyapaha River. Completed in 1972, this earth dam stands at a height of 67 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 870 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 720 acre-feet. It serves as a key component in the irrigation system of the area, providing water for agricultural activities in the region.
Managed by a private owner, the Sargent Irrigation Dam is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, ensuring that it meets necessary safety and environmental standards. With a low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, indicating a need for further evaluation. Despite its age, the dam continues to function effectively, with the last inspection conducted in October 1983.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Sargent Irrigation Dam presents an intriguing case study of a crucial infrastructure supporting agricultural activities in South Dakota. As discussions around water management and climate change intensify, understanding the role and condition of such dams becomes increasingly important for ensuring sustainable water resource management in the region. The Sargent Irrigation Dam stands as a testament to the intricate balance between human interventions in natural systems and the need for responsible stewardship of water resources in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Sargent Irrigation Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd | 24 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd | 64 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River Near Sparks | 755 cfs | → |
| Long Pine Creek Near Riverview | 197 cfs | → |
| Little White R Near Rosebud Sd | 135 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River At Mariaville | 998 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sargent Irrigation Dam.
Track Sargent Irrigation Dam 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 Sargent Irrigation Dam
Where does the data for Sargent Irrigation Dam 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 Sargent Irrigation Dam.