Ziemer Dam dam
Ziemer Dam
Ziemer Dam, located in Roberts County, South Dakota, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1998. This earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 30 acre-feet. The dam spans 200 feet and is situated on the TR Big Stone Lake tributary, within the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
While Ziemer Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential, it is subject to state regulation and inspection by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The dam's spillway, measuring 120 feet in width, is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1620 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's condition remains unrated, with no recent assessment conducted since its last inspection in October 2004.
Overall, Ziemer Dam serves as a vital structure in managing water resources in the region and plays a crucial role in flood control and water storage. With its strategic location and design, the dam contributes to the sustainable management of the local watershed and provides valuable insights for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of infrastructure development and environmental conservation.
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 Ziemer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Minnesota River Near Peever | 56 cfs | → |
| Whetstone River Near Big Stone City | 64 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Ortonville | 81 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock | 96 cfs | → |
| Yellow Bank River Near Odessa | 69 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Nr Florence Sd | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ziemer Dam.
Boat launches
- Mn 27 4906, Traverse County
- Mn 27 4924, Traverse County
- Roberts County
- T149 5800, Traverse County
- Rocky Point Big Stone City
Track Ziemer 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 Ziemer Dam
Where does the data for Ziemer 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 Ziemer Dam.