Redwood River dam
Redwood River
The Redwood River, also known as Marshall Dam, is a vital water resource in Lyon, Minnesota, managed by the local government with regulatory oversight from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Ecological and Water Resources Division. This gravity dam, completed in 1963 by the USCOE, serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction for the surrounding area. With a height of 27 feet and a storage capacity of 450 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the river, which has a drainage area of 260 square miles.
Located in the city of Marshall, Minnesota, the Redwood River dam has a satisfactory condition assessment and a significant hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The last inspection in March 2017 revealed that the dam meets regulatory guidelines, but ongoing risk management measures are necessary to address moderate risk levels. The dam does not have associated locks or spillway controls, with a spillway width of zero, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of water levels and discharge rates during periods of high flow.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Redwood River dam presents a fascinating case study in flood risk reduction and water management. As a critical infrastructure project with a long history of service to the community, this dam exemplifies the need for proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in protecting lives and property from flooding events. The collaboration between local government, state agencies, and the USCOE underscores the importance of multi-level cooperation in safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Redwood River -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood River Near Marshall | 20 cfs | → |
| Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls | 173 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 161 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Montevideo | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Lac Qui Parle River Near Lac Qui Parle | 213 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Watson | 405 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Redwood River.
Track Redwood River 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 Redwood River
Where does the data for Redwood River 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 Redwood River.