Goebel Ranch Dam dam
Goebel Ranch Dam
Located in McPherson, South Dakota, the Goebel Ranch Dam serves as a vital structure for water resource management in the area. Built in 2004 by Ducks Unlimited, this private-owned earth dam stands at 12 feet high and spans 497 feet in length. The dam has a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1350 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial asset for flood control and water supply in the region.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the Goebel Ranch Dam is well-maintained and regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has not been assessed for condition as of yet. Despite its remote location, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events and ensuring a stable water supply for residents and wildlife alike.
Overall, the Goebel Ranch Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in South Dakota. As a key infrastructure project designed to mitigate flood risks and ensure water availability, this earth dam serves as a valuable asset for the local community and underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate.
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 Goebel Ranch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Foot Creek Near Aberdeen | 122 cfs | → |
| Elm R At Westport Sd | 31 cfs | → |
| James R At Columbia Sd | 639 cfs | → |
| Maple R At Nd-Sd State Line | 16 cfs | → |
| James R Near Stratford Sd | 776 cfs | → |
| James River At Nd-Sd State Line | 622 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Goebel Ranch Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 13 Brown County
- 127th Street 37861, Brown County
- 382nd Avenue Brown County
- County Road 6 Brown County
- Coldwater Lake Boating Access
Track Goebel Ranch 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 Goebel Ranch Dam
Where does the data for Goebel Ranch 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 Goebel Ranch Dam.