White Hill Dam dam
White Hill Dam
White Hill Dam, located in Perkins, South Dakota, is a private-owned structure that plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Completed in 1930, this earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a storage capacity of 630 acre-feet. The dam is situated on White Hill Creek and is under the regulatory jurisdiction of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition and last underwent inspection in May 1994.
While White Hill Dam serves as an essential infrastructure for water storage and management, its condition assessment remains unknown, highlighting the need for updated inspections and risk assessments. The dam's primary purpose and associated structures are unspecified, but its presence is vital for flood control and water supply in the area. With a maximum discharge capacity of 2000 cubic feet per second, the dam's role in protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events cannot be understated. Additionally, the dam's emergency preparedness measures, such as Emergency Action Plans and risk management strategies, require further development to ensure the safety of downstream residents and the environment in case of a dam failure.
In the realm of climate change and water resource management, White Hill Dam stands as a critical piece of infrastructure that requires regular monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure its continued functionality. With the dam's location in a region susceptible to extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and flooding, it is imperative that comprehensive risk assessments, updated inspections, and emergency preparedness measures are put in place to safeguard the integrity of the structure and protect downstream communities and ecosystems. Collaboration between the private owner, state regulatory agencies, and federal authorities is essential to uphold the dam's safety standards and resilience in the face of evolving climate 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 White Hill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd | 10 cfs | → |
| North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Nr Haynes | 3 cfs | → |
| Moreau R Near Faith Sd | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri R At Camp Crook Sd | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Hill Dam.
More reservoirs
Track White Hill 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 White Hill Dam
Where does the data for White Hill 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 White Hill Dam.