Jensen Dam dam
Jensen Dam
Jensen Dam, located in Lincoln, South Dakota, is a privately owned structure that plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Built in 1976 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a storage capacity of 234 acre-feet. The dam serves as a barrier on Blind Creek, with a drainage area of 6 square miles, helping to control water flow and prevent flooding in the area.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Jensen Dam is maintained to meet state regulatory standards by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Despite its modest size, the dam plays a significant role in water management in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 2900 cubic feet per second. While the dam's primary purpose is not specified, its construction and operation are overseen by state agencies to ensure its safety and functionality for the community.
Jensen Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in South Dakota, providing crucial support in controlling water flow and mitigating flood risks in the area. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and water availability, structures like Jensen Dam become even more vital in ensuring the resilience of local communities and ecosystems. With its modest size and low hazard potential, Jensen Dam serves as a reliable and effective tool in safeguarding the region's water resources 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 Jensen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd | 83 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River At Akron | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd | 37 cfs | → |
| Rock River Near Rock Valley | 784 cfs | → |
| East Fork Vermillion River Near Parker | 16 cfs | → |
| West Fork Vermillion R Near Parker Sd | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jensen Dam.
Boat launches
- 180th Street Plymouth County
- Copperwood Court Lincoln County
- 310th Street Sioux County
- State Highway 3 Plymouth County
- Brooky Bottom Park
- Mulberry Bend
Track Jensen 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 Jensen Dam
Where does the data for Jensen 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 Jensen Dam.