Forster Rice Paddies dam
Forster Rice Paddies
The Forster Rice Paddies, located in Beltrami, Minnesota, are a crucial part of the local water resource management strategy. This earth dam, completed in 1973, serves multiple purposes and is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. With a height of 9.5 feet and a length of 262 feet, the dam helps in controlling the flow of Rustad Creek and provides a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet.
Despite its important role in water management, the Forster Rice Paddies dam is currently in poor condition, as indicated by a 2009 assessment. With a low hazard potential, the dam still requires regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The local government, as the primary owner, must address the maintenance issues to prevent any potential risks associated with the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Forster Rice Paddies offer an interesting case study in the challenges of balancing water management needs with infrastructure maintenance. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is essential to prioritize the upkeep of dams like the Forster Rice Paddies to ensure the safety and sustainability of water systems in the region.
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 Forster Rice Paddies -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River Near Bemidji | 217 cfs | → |
| Red Lake River Near Red Lake | 207 cfs | → |
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 618 cfs | → |
| Rapid River Near Baudette | 334 cfs | → |
| Red Lake River At High Landing Nr Goodridge | 254 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forster Rice Paddies.
Boat launches
- Old Blackduck Road Beltrami County
- Conrad Lane Northeast Beltrami County
- Beltrami County
- Redby
- Ccc Camp Road Northeast Beltrami County
- Mckenzie Road Red Lake
Campgrounds
- Pine Tree City Park Campground
- Paul Bunyan Memorial Park
- Webster Lake
- Red Lake State Forest
- Lake Bemidji State Park Campground
- Washkish Park
Fishing spots
- Bass (South Island) Lake
- Bartlett Lake
- Balm Lake
- Bearpawguides On Upper Red Lake
- Andrusia Lake
- Bagley Lake
Track Forster Rice Paddies 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 Forster Rice Paddies
Where does the data for Forster Rice Paddies 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 Forster Rice Paddies.