Anderson Dam dam
Anderson Dam
Anderson Dam, located in Hamlin, South Dakota, is a privately owned earth dam designed by USDA NRCS and completed in 2000. With a height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 153 acre-feet, this dam on the TR-DRY LAKE river was constructed for multiple purposes and is primarily regulated by the state agency DENR. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, making it an important structure for water resource management in the region.
Managed by the St. Paul District of the USACE, Anderson Dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 30 feet and a maximum discharge of 250 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the dam is inspected, permitted, and enforced by the state regulatory agency, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining its integrity and safety. With Dusty Johnson (R) as the congressional representative for the area, Anderson Dam plays a crucial role in water storage and flood control efforts in South Dakota.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Anderson Dam contributes to the overall water management strategy in the region. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks a current condition assessment, its construction and design by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflect a commitment to sustainable water resource practices. With a normal storage capacity of 17 acre-feet and a history dating back to the turn of the millennium, Anderson Dam remains a vital resource for water supply and climate resilience in South Dakota.
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 Anderson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sioux R Near Castlewood Sd | 82 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Bruce | 250 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R At Watertown Sd | 18 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R Near Watertown Sd | 23 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd | 280 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Nr Florence Sd | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Anderson Dam.
Track Anderson 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 Anderson Dam
Where does the data for Anderson 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 Anderson Dam.