Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3 dam
Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3
Located in the Scott Creek Watershed in Union, South Dakota, Dam #3 stands as a crucial water resource managed by the local government. Built in 1955 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam has a height of 28 feet and a length of 300 feet, with a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of flood control, with a maximum discharge capacity of 900 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential, Dam #3 has not been rated for its current condition as it was last inspected in April 1981. The dam is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The surrounding area is at risk of inundation in case of a dam failure, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and updates to the emergency action plan.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Scott Creek Watershed Dam #3 to be a significant structure in managing water flow and preventing flooding in the region. With its strategic location in the Scott Creek watershed and the involvement of various agencies in its regulation and maintenance, this dam serves as a vital asset in safeguarding the local community from potential water-related risks.
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 Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sioux River At Akron | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd | 83 cfs | → |
| Rock River Near Rock Valley | 784 cfs | → |
| Perry Creek Near Milnerville | 25 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 268 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 846 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3.
Boat launches
- 180th Street Plymouth County
- State Highway 3 Plymouth County
- 220th Street Plymouth County
- 310th Street Sioux County
- Mulberry Bend
- Ponca
Track Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3 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 Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3
Where does the data for Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3 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 Scott Creek Watershed Dt Dam #3.