Elm Creek dam
Elm Creek
Elm Creek, also known as Champlin Mill Pond, is a gravity dam located in Hennepin, Minnesota, with its primary purpose being recreation. Completed in 1935, the dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a structural height of 22 feet, with a storage capacity of 650 acre-feet. This beautiful spot offers visitors a chance to enjoy water activities in a serene environment and is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Situated in the St. Paul District, Elm Creek is a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the tranquil waters of the Elm Creek river. The dam has a significant hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition, with regular inspections and enforcement by the state agencies to ensure the safety of the structure. The area offers a picturesque setting for outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its 52-foot long dam and surrounding natural beauty.
With a drainage area of 104 square miles and a maximum discharge of 2250 cubic feet per second, Elm Creek provides a vital water resource for the local community. The dam's recreational opportunities, combined with its historical significance and regulatory oversight, make it a must-visit destination for those interested in water management and climate adaptation efforts in Minnesota.
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 Elm Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Anoka | 7,700 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Champlin | 21 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 8,920 cfs | → |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 545 cfs | → |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 6 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 241 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elm Creek.
Boat launches
- Mississippi Point Park
- Bunker Lake Boulevard Northwest Andover
- Round Lake Boat Launch
- Mississippi West Regional Park
- Coon Rapids Dam Reg. Park
- 93rd Avenue North Maple Grove
Campgrounds
- Bunker Hills Campground
- Bunker Hills Regional Park
- Rice Creek Chain Of Lakes Regional Park
- Halfmoon Group Camps
- Baker Park Reserve
- Baker Park Reserve Campground
Paddle runs
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
More reservoirs
Track Elm Creek 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 Elm Creek
Where does the data for Elm Creek 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 Significant 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 Elm Creek.