Jackson dam
Jackson
Situated in Jackson, Minnesota, the Jackson dam serves as a vital structure regulating the flow of the Des Moines River. Built in 1913, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans 205 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1,176 acre-feet. Managed by the local government and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water resource management in the region.
Despite its age, the Jackson dam has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2013. With a drainage area of 1,240 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 13,600 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a key role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water availability for various purposes in the surrounding area. Additionally, its location within the Rock Island District underscores the importance of the dam in the broader context of water resource management in the region.
As an integral part of the local infrastructure, the Jackson dam not only helps in water storage and flood control but also contributes to the overall environmental and climate resilience of the area. With its state-regulated status and regular inspection and enforcement measures in place, the dam stands as a testament to the proactive approach towards water management and climate adaptation in Jackson, Minnesota. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Jackson dam serves as a fascinating example of how historical structures continue to play a vital role in modern-day water management practices.
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 Jackson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 563 cfs | → |
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 443 cfs | → |
| Watonwan River Near Garden City | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood River Near New Ulm | 503 cfs | → |
| Little Cottonwood River Near Courtland | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jackson.
Boat launches
- 130th Street 3653, Emmet County
- 140th Street 24728, Orleans
- 150th Street Spirit Lake
- 10th Avenue North Estherville
- Linden Drive 184, Arnolds Park
- Dam Road 798, Arnolds Park
Campgrounds
- Robertson Park
- Kilen Woods State Park
- Robertson County Park
- Brown Parik
- Brown Park South Campground
- Anderson County Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Jackson 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 Jackson
Where does the data for Jackson 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 Jackson.