Pat Brown dam
Pat Brown
Pat Brown is a privately owned dam located in Custer, South Dakota, along the tributary of Spring Creek. Constructed in 1998 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 28 feet high with a length of 200 feet, providing a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 280 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its condition and lacks important emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan.
Managed by the DENR and regulated by the state of South Dakota, Pat Brown serves a vital role in water resource management in the region. With its uncontrolled spillway and stone core type, the dam is designed to control the flow of water and mitigate flooding risks in the area. However, the lack of recent inspections and maintenance updates raises concerns about its long-term sustainability and ability to withstand potential climate-related challenges.
Given its strategic location and purpose, Pat Brown plays a key role in protecting the surrounding community from water-related risks. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Pat Brown to ensure their effectiveness in safeguarding against potential disasters. By addressing the current gaps in inspection and emergency preparedness, the dam can better serve as a reliable resource for water management in the face of evolving climate conditions.
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 Pat Brown -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd | 20 cfs | → |
| Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd | 2 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne River At Redshirt | 62 cfs | → |
| Rapid Cr Bl Sewage Treatment Pl Nr Rapid City | 40 cfs | → |
| Battle Cr At Hermosa Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne River Near Wasta | 65 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pat Brown.
Campgrounds
- Sage Creek Campground
- Sage Creek
- French Creek Camping Area
- French Creek Campground
- French Creek
- Ĉhankú Wasté Ranch
Fishing spots
- Lakota Lake
- Horsethief Lake Day Use Site
- Sheridan Lake Complex
- Bismark Lake
- Rapid Creek Trailhead & Fishing Access
- Veterans Point Fishing Pier
More reservoirs
Track Pat Brown 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 Pat Brown
Where does the data for Pat Brown 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 Pat Brown.