Okaton Dam dam
Okaton Dam
Okaton Dam, located in Jones County, South Dakota, stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering and water management efforts. Completed in 1930, this earth dam stretches 600 feet in length and reaches a height of 22 feet, providing essential storage for up to 320 acre-feet of water from the tributary Dry Creek. While its primary purpose is unspecified, the dam's low hazard potential and state-regulated status affirm its role in mitigating flooding and ensuring water availability for local communities.
Managed by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Okaton Dam undergoes regular inspections to maintain its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite not being rated for condition assessment, the dam's emergency action plan readiness and risk management measures are continuously monitored to ensure public safety and environmental protection. With a maximum discharge capacity of 2900 cubic feet per second, this vital water resource infrastructure plays a crucial role in sustaining the region's water supply and contributing to climate resilience efforts.
As climate change impacts continue to influence water resource management strategies, Okaton Dam remains a vital asset in safeguarding against potential risks and emergencies. With its strategic location and historical significance, this earth dam serves as a beacon of resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of evolving climate patterns. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, recognizing the importance of structures like Okaton Dam in ensuring sustainable water management practices is essential for building a more resilient and secure future for our communities.
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 Okaton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near White River | 40 cfs | → |
| Black Pipe Creek Nr Belvidere | 13 cfs | → |
| Little White R Below White River Sd | 112 cfs | → |
| White R Near Kadoka Sd | 83 cfs | → |
| Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd | 4 cfs | → |
| Little White R Near Rosebud Sd | 141 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Okaton Dam.
Track Okaton 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 Okaton Dam
Where does the data for Okaton 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 Okaton Dam.