Alvine Dam dam
Alvine Dam
Alvine Dam, located in South Dakota, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1974 on a tributary of the East Vermillion River. Standing at a height of 30 feet and with a length of 350 feet, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 100 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 81 acre-feet. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential and currently not assessed for condition, the dam is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Alvine Dam does not have a designated primary purpose but serves as a crucial water resource structure in the area. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1950 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a vital role in water management and flood control in the region. While lacking recent inspection and assessment data, Alvine Dam remains a significant infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and monitor in the context of changing environmental conditions and potential risks.
As a part of the St. Paul District under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Alvine Dam provides valuable insights into the intersection of water resource management, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure safety. With its location on the East Vermillion River tributary, the dam's operational and regulatory framework offers a unique case study for understanding the challenges and opportunities in maintaining a resilient water infrastructure system in the face of evolving environmental conditions. For enthusiasts interested in the intersection of water resources and climate, Alvine Dam presents a compelling subject for further exploration and analysis.
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 Alvine Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd | 226 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R Near Dell Rapids Sd | 288 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Bruce | 199 cfs | → |
| James R Near Forestburg Sd | 929 cfs | → |
| James R Near Mitchell Sd | 940 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alvine Dam.
Boat launches
- State Park Drive Lake County
- Walkers Point Drive Lake County
- 212th Street 44254, Kingsbury County
- Flood Club Road Kingsbury County
- 436th Avenue Kingsbury County
- Sunset Road Brookings County
Track Alvine 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 Alvine Dam
Where does the data for Alvine 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 Alvine Dam.