Deer Creek dam
Deer Creek
Deer Creek, located in Itasca County, Minnesota, is a state-regulated dam that serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Deer River. Constructed in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration - Civilian Conservation Corps (WPA-C), this gravity dam stands at a height of 8 feet with a hydraulic height of 3.5 feet and a structural height of 10 feet. With a storage capacity of 25,844 acre-feet and a drainage area of 46 square miles, Deer Creek plays a crucial role in managing water flow and reducing the risk of flooding in the surrounding area.
Despite its low hazard potential, Deer Creek dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The last inspection was conducted in August 2017, with a frequency of every 8 years. While the dam is in a state of not being rated, it continues to function effectively in its flood risk reduction role. With the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Division of Ecological and Water Resources (MNDNR EWR) overseeing its regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement, Deer Creek dam remains a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region. As a dedicated climate and water resource enthusiast, Deer Creek offers an intriguing case study in the intersection of infrastructure, natural resources, and climate resilience.
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 Deer Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 106 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 98 cfs | → |
| Little Fork River At Littlefork | 154 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 612 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 196 cfs | → |
| Gold Portage Outlet From Kabetogama Lk Nr Ray | 616 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Creek.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Deer Creek
Where does the data for Deer 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 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 below 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.
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.